There are many birds’ species in the world. Some are famous for the beauty of their leathers or voices. Meanwhile, Papua’s endemic bird named Kasuari or Cassowary is famous for its vivid blue cervix and red wattle. This bird is known as the deadliest bird and becomes the only bird that was recorded once killed a human.
Even with its dangerous nature, it turns out that Cassowary is the first poultry cared for by men, making it the earliest bird kept by humans. Let’s learn further.
The First Human’s Pet
The cassowary is endemic fauna from Papua and West Papua and the icon of this Cenderawasih Island. It is known as the most deadly bird in the world. The cassowary is considered very dangerous because of its long feet and sharp dagger-like claws.
The latest research published in the scientific journal, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS), reveals that Cassowary became the first human pet 18.000 years ago. Meanwhile, the chicken became a human pet not more than 9.500 years ago.
Considering its territorial and aggressive behavior, it is still surprising and interesting that this West Papua’s bird is classified as a domestication or pet animal. According to the study, humans in ancient times might have collected their big eggs before it hatched. Later on, the ancient men raised the birds until they reach adult age.
This study was conducted on more than a thousand eggshell fragment fossils that were dug up from two rocks shelters used by hunters or collectors. The fossilized shells of cassowary eggs in the study were carbon-dated as part of the research. The age ranged from 18.000 to 6.000 years.
Why researchers of this study believe that ancient men preferred to hatch Cassowary’ eggs instead of eating them are following the study on live bird eggshells. The inside part of the eggshells changed as the bird inside grew to get calcium from the eggshells. The research team found out that most eggshells found in the location were mature and ready to hatch.
Get to Know Cassowary
Cassowary is very easy to recognize thanks to its vivid color and anatomical shape which is different from most birds. Besides their blue cervix and red wattle, Cassowary also has jet black feathers covering their whole bodies.
Although the size of their bodies varies according to three different species, the height of this West Papua’s bird can reach up to two meters and weighs 60 kilograms.
The most dangerous anatomy of their bodies is located below. Their muscular leg allows them to land powerful kicks and not to mention the sharp and harmful three claws on their fingers. The claws’ length can reach 4 inches or 10 centimeters and they can slice hunters with one kick.
If feeling threatened, Cassowary will jump and attack using their claws, giving a fatal wound, potentially cutting through the internal organ. Some Cassowaries act boldly and aggressively in hopes of being fed. They sometimes kick humans if there is no food offered. Cassowaries will also kick or peck on glass doors and windows to beg for food.
Cassowary’s Attack
Even though this Papuan endemic bird has fascinating blue and red radiant colors on its upper part, you might want to think twice if you wish to pet this animal. In April 2019, a 75-year-old man kept Cassowary in his home dead after a brutal attack from his own Cassowary. The man suffered many severe injuries.
The man, who was found dead in his farming land near Alachua, Florida, United States, was identified as Marvin Hajos. The victim kept his Cassowary along with other exotic birds. Because of the case, Cassowary came as the first and only bird that killed a human.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) which joined the investigation regarding the death classified Cassowary as “Class II Wildlife” which can “pose a danger to humans.” FWC asserted to keep this bird, special permission should be required.
The first confirmed death from Cassowary attack occurred in 1926 which happened to a 16 years old hunter. The young hunter at first hit the bird in an attempt to kill it but then tried to escape. At that time, he tripped and received a fatal kick on his neck.
In a study conducted by Christopher Kofron in 1999, citing Scientific American, there are 221 recorded attacks caused by Cassowaries that were mostly caused by food.
We hope the information about Cassowary above will be useful. Other than Cassowary, Papua and West Papua have other endemic fauna that some is facing extinction. Some of the Papuan’s endemic animals are Red Cenderawasih, Mambruk Victoria bird, Golden Coat Tree Kangaroo, and Spotted Carpet Shark.
