best viewed at original size

Normally a denizen of tropical rainforest, this one has wandered just beyond the edge – there was forest on the other side of the road.
He – I think it is male based on smaller size (females are larger) – has a swelling on one foot, but wasn’t limping and otherwise appeared healthy.
Unfortunately, too many Southern Cassowaries become road casualties. This is particularly of concern because the isolated Wet Tropics population (where I took this photo) is estimated to number 4,400 individuals.
A process is in place to minimise problems on roads – I reported this to a 24-hour hot-line and they promised to post a sign “Recent Cassowary sighting” on the road to warn drivers and attempt to slow them down.