Killer Cassowary: Florida Man Suffers Deadly Attack from ‘World’s Most Dangerous’ Bird
OutdoorHub Reporters 04.15.19
Out of all the critters who call Florida ‘home,’ a bird probably doesn’t make it very high on your list of dangerous animals to avoid in the Sunshine State. Well, think again. A large, flightless bird – not native to the U.S. – earned the nickname “killer cassowary” and solidified its ‘title’ as “world’s most dangerous bird” after killing a man who was keeping the bird on a private farm.
The Alachua County Fire Rescue Department reportedly informed the Gainesville Sun that a cassowary fatally injured a man on his property near Gainesville, Florida on Friday morning. The man, who authorities identified as 75-year-old Marvin Hajos, was apparently breeding the birds, state wildlife officials said.
“My understanding is that the gentleman was in the vicinity of the bird and at some point fell. When he fell, he was attacked,” Deputy Chief Jeff Taylor stated. He said first responders got a call at 10 a.m. Friday and rushed the man to a hospital for trauma care but he died.”
At first glance, cassowaries appear very similar to emus. They stand 6 feet tall, and can weigh up to 130 pounds. They’re covered with dark feathers and have a distinctive, bright blue head – sounds like a 6-foot-tall turkey!
But these over-sized birds have been labeled the “world’s most dangerous bird” for good reason..
Armed with a four-inch, dagger-like claw on each foot, cassowaries can cut and slice potential threats with just one swift kick. And when it comes to kicking power, their legs can propel the bird up to speeds of roughly 31 miles-per-hour!
“Initial information indicates that this was a tragic accident for Mr. Hajos,” said Lt. Brett Rhodenizer, a sheriff’s office spokesman. “The cassowary involved remains secured on private property at this time.”
Cassowaries are native to Australia and New Guinea, where in some parts, the bird is harvested for their meat. The birds are not raised for food in the U.S., but are often sought after by exotic bird collectors.
As you might expect, obtaining a bird known as “killer cassowary” isn’t all that simple. The state of Florida actually requires a permit in order to keep the birds, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission insists cassowary owners have “substantial experience” and meet specific age requirements.
To get more familiar with these prehistoric looking birds, check out the video below:
