CASSOWARY CRISIS

Population growth and the popularity of Far North Queensland as a tourism destination is pushing the endangered Cassowary to extinction. Tragically it’s now estimated that only 1,000 of these big birds remain. Compared to Giant Panda of which 3,000 remain in the wild the plight of the Cassowary is alarmingly.

Dependant on its rainforest habitat for survival the Cassowary is threatened as continued development of its rainforest for housing, in places like Mission Beach and even in the World Heritage value Daintree. In addition to the loss of habitat from Cyclone Larry, destruction of its rainforest habitat for housing is a savage blow the Cassowary. Most people believe a National Park and World Heritage Listing protected the Daintree. The reality is a rural residential development established with the assistance of the Jo Bjelke-Petersen government in the 1980’s. And while the Peter Bettie government’s recent decision to inject funds towards protecting parts of the Daintree is welcome hundreds of properties in the Daintree remain at threat of developemt. That’s bad news for the Cassowary, the more rainforest that is cleared in the Daintree the less chance the majestic, flightless Cassowary will have of surviving in the wild. They are already being killed at an alarming and escalating rate. Excluded from the dwindling habitat they are increasingly the victims of collisions with vehicles and attacks by dogs.

The Cassowary and the Daintree are mutually dependant. So important is the Cassowary to the Daintree its extinction would also threaten the regeneration of more than seventy species of plants who’s fruits and seeds are eaten by the Cassowary and who disperse their seeds. Apart from the Cassowary the Daintree is home to over 100 threatened species of plant and animals. Unique wildlife such as the Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, Spotted-tailed Quoll rely on the Daintree.

Rainforest Rescue, a not or profit organisation committed to saving the Daintree is particularly concerned with the limited protection in Cow Bay and in the Forest Creek area south of the Alexander range where there is no further improvement for conservation and development can proceed.

Rainforest Rescue has embraced the Cassowary as a flagship for the Daintree’s conservation, and seeing the limited response from government has set its aim on buying the freehold Daintree rainforest and protecting it in reserves. “It’s the best way to protect the Daintree”, said Kelvin Davies, Executive Officer of Rainforest Rescue “We just buy it”. From Brisbane the organisation has been working with the rainforest based Daintree Rainforest Foundation to buy land and place it in purposely created and gazetted Nature Refuge’s. Protected forever the properties will provide habitat for Cassowaries and other wildlife and exclude all forms of development. But with development continuing at ten to twenty houses each year the race is on to save the Daintree.

With the support of everyday Australian’s Rainforest Rescue has now contributed to the purchase of eight properties in the Daintree and hope for many more to be protected soon.

Kelvin says, “We’ve have had everyone from young children donating a few dollars of their pocket money to businesses donating substantial amounts, all in aid of our precious Daintree rainforest”. He adds “Rainforest Rescue creates opportunities for individuals, families, organisations and businesses to become involved in successful projects that protect and restore our dwindling rainforests and each donation achieves a very tangible outcome”. For thousands of years, Cassowaries have lived in the forests of the Daintree and if we can buy it back before its too late they can do so for thousands more.

Now or never for the Daintree
Donations from the public are essential in helping to buy back more rainforest blocks and protecting them forever. To contribute to the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project with your tax-deductible donation contact Rainforest Rescue on 1300 763 611 or visit the Rainforest Rescue website at www.rainforestrescue.org.au. Or you can send a cheque or money order made out to Rainforest Rescue, PO Box 1511 Toowong, Queenlsand 4066.