Restoring critical Cassowary habitat still top priority on the anniversary of Cyclone Yasi
February 3rd, 2012
Cassowaries are endangered and under pressure from events such as cyclones, car strike and dog attack
A year ago today, Cyclone Yasi crossed the north Queensland coast at Mission Beach wreaking devastation on what little Cassowary habitat remains. Cassowaries were forced to leave their rainforest home in search of food, putting them in danger of being hit by cars and attacked by dogs.
Sadly the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have confirmed that # Cassowaries have died since the Cyclone. With scientists estimating that only 40 adult birds remain in Mission Beach, the situation is becoming dire.
There are few Australian rainforest species as iconic as the Endangered Southern Cassowary.
Referred to as the ‘gardener of the rainforest’ because of the 238 different species of rainforest seeds it disperses, the Cassowary is essential for rainforest ecology.
Loss of habitat through rural residential development has significantly reduced the number of Cassowaries to as few as 1,000 in the wild. With more than 80% of lowland rainforest gone, Cassowaries are fast running out of habitat.
To ensure the survival of this important rainforest species we need to ACT NOW. Will you help them survive?
Help fund our efforts to expand critical rainforest habitat for Cassowaries affected by the devastation of Cyclone Yasi. Make a tax-deductible now.
Immediately following the Cyclone in February 2011, Rainforest Rescue supporters generously responded to our urgent call for action, donating funds to establish feed stations.
This month, work will commence at Mission Beach to restore a critical Mission Beach Cassowary corridor. It will provide habitat, food, and a safe passage for generations of Cassowaries to come. And importantly it will increase resilience to future cyclonic impact.
Our goal is to plant 10,000 trees this wet season.

















