A 75-year-old man died after being attacked in a fenced enclosure of his farm in Alachua, in northern Florida, by a specimen of cassowary, a bird that reaches six feet (1.80 meters) and, Although it does not fly, it has strong claws, local media reported Monday.
Marvin Hajos died from injuries caused by the casuarium (Casuarius casuarius) after, probably, falling last Friday in the closed space where this aggressive bird was in captivity.
According to the newspaper Gainesville Sun, Hajos had to fall inside the enclosure while feeding the bird native to Australia and New Guinea and “was attacked” by the cassowary.
The cassowaries are considered “one of the most dangerous and ancient birds on the planet”.
The “cassowary can split with its powerful claws any predator or potential threat with a single quick kick and reach a speed of up to 31 mph per hour (41 km),” the newspaper said.
After the event, the cassowary was moved by the authorities to another place not specified and it is unknown what will be its final destination.
The cassowaries, which can weigh up to 130 pounds (59 kilos), show a stiff and scratchy black plumage and the neck and face are blue tones with two small reddish areas.
Above the head has a horn-shaped protrusion measuring between 13 and 16.9 centimeters and with dagger-shaped claws on the feet.
Given the potential danger to the people entailed by their possession, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requires cassowary owners to have “substantial experience” in their care and compliance with specific habitat requirements. necessary for his captivity. (EFEUSA) .-
