CASSOWARY TRAIL

HISTORY

You already know the largest bird in the world is the ostrich but what about the cassowary? The Southern Cassowary is the world's third largest bird, behind only the ostrich and emu. Cassowaries are only found in New Guinea, Aru Islands (being the Northern Cassowary) and North Queensland, Australia (Southern Cassowary). 

The Southern Cassowary is listed as 'Endangered' under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which includes the Wet Tropics population, in which Kuranda region is located. 

Several factors affect the Southern Cassowary’s survival, including the loss, fragmentation and modification of habitat, human interactions, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, pigs, disease and natural catastrophic events

In 1988 the population was estimated at 2,500-4,000 adults and this has declined dramatically to less than 1,500 in 2001. Thankfully the volunteer work of Kuranda Conservation group is focused on increasing the population.

Male Cassowary looks after the chicks

Cassowaries play an important role in maintaining the diversity of rainforest trees, being one of only a few frugivores (fruit eaters) that can disperse large rainforest fruits, and the only species that can carry large seeded fruits over long distances. Over 238 species of plants have been recorded in the Southern Cassowary diet. They swallow the fruit whole and in piles of dung, distribute them over large areas throughout the rainforest. Many plant species would no longer exist if the cassowary became extinct so we must look after them. 

Bagarra maynggal, Mayi maynggal, Bunda:rra Maynggal

This means "No Rainforest, No Food, no Cassowary" in the Djabugay language

Bunda:rra, which means Cassowaries, are highly valued by the indigenous people of the Wet Tropics and Cape York who have lived within the rainforest for thousands of years. The cassowary has been appreciated as a food source and their fluffy black feathers are highly prized by indigenous communities and used in traditional dress and decorations.  

ABOUT THE CASSOWARY TRAIL

We love the Southern Cassowary so much we want everyone to know and love them too. Our plan is to create a unique cassowary experience for visitors to our rainforest community of Kuranda.  Several local artists have offered to paint life sized sculptures of cassowaries that will be placed along a trail throughout the town.

With enough funding we plan to extend the trail into other areas on the Atherton Tablelands, Daintree, Cairns and Mission Beach. 

Each artist will use their local knowledge and creativity to illustrate their connection to express in the painting. Once the cassowary sculptures have been created they will be placed on a trail around the township of Kuranda. This fantastic and unique experience will delight everyone who comes to experience it.

WATCH WHAT THE ARTISTS HAVE TO SAY

Each painted cassowary sculpture will have a dedicated QR code to scan and read all the information about the artist, the story behind it and where you can find the other cassowaries along the trail.

People can explore the Wet Tropics Region and take a selfie with each of the painted cassowaries raising awareness of this amazing dinosaur like bird. They are a living fossil with gorgeous colours that has to be celebrated with this unique and creative experience with the Cassowary Trail.

FUTURE OF THE CASSOWARY TRAIL

Once the Cassowary Trail set up in Kuranda we can start the next phase to expand the project into other cassowary habitats across the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns, Port Douglas and Mission Beach regions. How wonderful it will be to see life-sized painted cassowaries through the Far North Queensland region ! 

LOCAL EXPERIENCE WITH CASSOWARIES

Since 2016, the local Kuranda cassowary Elvis has been seen regularly by passengers who take a cruise on the Kuranda Riverboat. Owners, Warren and Melissa Clinton have gathered a great deal of information on Elvis, as well his mate Priscilla. Elvis and Priscilla's offspring are born during September to October each year. The Kuranda Riverboat Tour has a good working relationship with Kuranda Conservation, keeping them informed of cassowary sightings that take place during cruises. Kuranda is very fortunate to have wild cassowaries, as well as other wildlife such as crocodiles and turtles, that visitors may see when they take a cruise on the riverboat.

Watch a real scene at the Barron River Kuranda

Please get behind the making of the Cassowary Trail.

Pledge to this project now and let's make this happen!"

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT:

Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery Inc,

Kuranda Conservation has been involved in the preservation of cassowary habitat since 1995 on a volunteer basis, setting up a nursery for native plants for forest regeneration.

Contributing Artists who paint the Cassowary

Local and indigenous artists who will express their connection to the Cassowary/nature in the painting including

Melanie Hava, Connie Rowina, George Riley, George Riley, Hayley Gillespie and Rebecca Koller

Jurg Jutzi founder of Cassowary Trail 

Interested in protecting the endangered Cassowary and its rainforest habitat. Owner of Terra Nova Art Gallery since 2010 in Kuranda.

Panoscapes,

Steven Nowakowski is a well-known local photographer and an avid and active environmentalist. He volunteers his expertise in taking the videos and photos for the Cassowary Art Trail. 

“Cassowary Champion” 

Jean Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of Tenkile Conservation Alliance. Thanks to her work with her husband Jim, two of the three Cassowaries species are now protected in Papua New Guinea. She has a lot of experience which she offers us for the project.

SPONSORS

The following businesses sponsor voucher for the different rewards:

Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda

Kuranda Koala Gardens

Birdworld Kuranda 

Kuranda Riverboat Tour

OTHER IMPORTANT SUPPORTERS:

- Djabugay

- Rainforest Rescue

- Kuranda Trader Association

- Rainforest Reserve Australia

- Rainforest 4 Foundation 

- Skyrail

- Heritage Market Kuranda

Please pledge and be a part to protect the future of our endangered Cassowary

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we live and work and pay respect to their Elders, past and present and extend that respect to other First Nations Peoples

WHAT DO WE NEED TO KICKSTARD THE CASSOWARY TRAIL 

Phase 1 minimum target to get started 

We need to raise enough funding to order and purchase at least 5 life-sized Cassowary sculptures. It will take approximately 5-6 months to get them made and delivered to the artists.

Estimated Cost = AUD 23,000

Phase 2:

We need to raise enough funding to cover the cost for the artists, paint, digital set up, marketing, road maps, registration, set up the Cassowary Trail in Kuranda and running costs and all the logistical activities that go with any cool project like this one. 

Estimated Cost = AUD 14,000

Phase 3:

Raised funds in excess of AUD 37,000 (Phase 1 + Phase2), will be donated to Kuranda conservation, Rainforest4Foundation and other involved non for profit organization to continue their invaluable efforts of conservation and revegetation projects including:

• rainforest tree planting

• purchasing critical rainforest habitat

• maintaining existing rainforest habitat for cassowary populations

• implement tracking system to collect more data about their living habits