Wildlife

Deep Forest Lodge is part of the corridor that Cassowaries use to travel from Thornton's Peak to the coastal flats. Some come regulary, others occasionally depending upon the trees in fruit.

The male cassowary incubates the eggs and rears the young. At about 18 months the young are sent off on their own. By this time they have experienced a number of seasons, that is times of abundance, and times of scarcity. By then they have been introduced to the rainforest, its resources and its dangers, and are then sent off the find their own territory. At this point the female seems to re-appear and the male again begins the cycle.

Cassowaries are taller than people. Do not run, as they will chase. Do not handfeed, you will feel threatened as they focus on the food and persue it; they don't peck delicately. If you see a cassowary, stand still and try to place a solid object, like a tree between yourself and the bird and wait for it to leave.

Our male cassowary parenting his three chicks