Citizen scientists can help this big rare bird survey near Townsville
Big bird. Big mission. We need your help!
Once upon a time, the mighty Southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) roamed far and wide across North Queensland. These days they’re a little harder to spot, with only a few isolated populations remaining between Townsville and Cape York.
But here’s the exciting part…
One of the southernmost populations lives right here around Paluma Range. Yep — on our doorstep. How lucky are we?!
Now, we need your help to look out for these rainforest legends.
We’ve teamed up with ecologist Wren McLean to fill in the gaps, learning more about cassowary numbers and where they’re roaming, especially around Townsville at the southern edge of their range.
How you can help:
- Spot a cassowary? Amazing — log it!
- See footprints or scat? That counts too!
- No reception? No worries — snap a pic or jot it down and upload it later.
You can report sightings through this website (here) or via the Survey123 app (perfect if you’re often out and about in cassowary country).
Every verified sighting helps build a clearer picture, and you’ll be able to see your contribution on a live map of cassowary sightings between Cairns and Townsville.
So next time you’re out and about… keep an eye out for a big, feathered friend. Because every sighting brings us one step closer to protecting them
Jump in and report your sighting today!
The Empowering Communities to Conserve and Connect Threatened Vegetation in the Wet Tropics project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and NQ Dry Tropics, a member of the Regional Delivery Partners panel.
This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and NQ Dry Tropics, a member of the Regional Delivery Partners panel.
