It turns out the world's most dangerous bird can swim, too
Shocked onlookers stood by as the bird took a dip in the ocean.
Cassowaries.
They're one of the most dangerous birds on Earth, reaching heights of 1.5 meters and weighing up to 76 kilograms, equipped with dagger-like claws measuring up to 10 centimeters that they aren't afraid to use.
You can't outrun them: They've been clocked reaching speeds around 50 km/h in the rainforest.
They can also jump two metres in the air.
And now, there's been another development: It turns out they can swim too, according to a press release from the Queensland Government in Australia.
On October 31, onlookers watched in amazement as a cassowary took to the water at Bingil Bay Campground.
But the young bird didn't stay there long, according to reports received by camp authorities.
In the release, officials thanked the public for reporting the sighting. Cassowaries are endangered, and experts are keen to collect data on their behaviour, especially when unusual.
It's not clear why this particular cassowary went for a swim, but they are known to jump in the water when they feel threatened by domestic dogs or are involved in a territorial dispute with another animal.
Witnesses say the bird looked "exhausted" after its time in the water and took a long rest.
"It stood in the shade beneath a tree with its legs shaking for about half an hour," Mandubarra Traditional Owner Nikita McDowell, alerted by a guest about the cassowary offshore, said of the bird's emergence from the water.
About 4,000 cassowaries remain in the Queensland wild. The species is battling several threats, including habitat loss, car strikes, and attacks from domestic pets.
"This rare sighting and lucky escape by the cassowary is a reminder that we all need to do what we can to protect and conserve the species," wildlife officer Stephen Clough said.
