These Big, Fierce Birds Found Love in Australia—and Laid the First Southern Cassowary Eggs at the Adelaide Zoo in 34 Years.
Adelaide Zoo in South Australia reported that Martina, a female southern cassowary, laid two eggs this month after being paired with a male named Jeffrey, the first such eggs there in over three decades.
A female southern cassowary at Adelaide Zoo has laid two eggs after being paired with a male, the zoo reported. The eggs are the first from the species at the zoo in more than three decades. Erin Kasteliz, the zoo's team supervisor for birds, said it has been 34 years since the zoo last had successful cassowary chicks.
The pairing was part of a captive breeding program managed by the Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia. The group keeps a studbook to decide which birds should breed, with the aim of maintaining genetic diversity. Earlier this year, zoo staff received approval to breed their resident birds: Martina, 10, and Jeffrey, 13. Zoo director Chad Crittle compared the matchmaking to online dating, where a match that looks good on paper does not always work in person.
It worked here. When the birds were introduced in August, Jeffrey began preening Martina, and they mated later that day. Staff saw them mate on multiple occasions after that. This month, caretakers found two fluorescent green eggs in the enclosure. Cassowary clutches typically hold three to five eggs, so more may follow. Kasteliz said the pigment in the shell camouflages the eggs among the leaves of the rainforest. Once Martina finishes laying, Jeffrey will incubate the eggs and raise any chicks.
Staff do not yet know whether the eggs are viable. If they are, chicks would be expected in about 50 days. The team described itself as cautiously optimistic and plans to stay largely hands-off, so that Jeffrey can "have his first go at doing this so he can learn," Crittle told the New York Times.
Southern cassowaries live mainly in Queensland's Wet Tropics and Cape York Peninsula, as well as New Guinea and eastern Indonesia. They can weigh up to 175 pounds and stand over five feet tall, making them the third-largest birds in the world. They have been recorded eating more than 200 kinds of plants and help spread rainforest seeds. Australia lists the species as endangered, with an estimated 4,400 birds left on the continent. Habitat loss is the main threat, along with vehicle strikes, poaching, dog attacks and competition with feral pigs.
Note: The headline could suggest chicks are on the way. The page says staff do not yet know whether the eggs are viable, and the 34-year figure refers to the last successful chicks.
At a Glance
- Martina, 10, laid two eggs this month after being introduced to Jeffrey, 13, in August at Adelaide Zoo.
- The zoo last had successful cassowary chicks 34 years ago, according to bird team supervisor Erin Kasteliz.
- If the eggs are viable, chicks are expected in about 50 days, and Jeffrey would raise them.
- Australia lists southern cassowaries as endangered, with an estimated 4,400 individuals remaining on the continent.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.