The Cassowary Conundrum

For 24 years, the Gladys Porter Zoo Bird Department tried to hatch a Southern cassowary chick successfully but was always unsuccessful. But in May of 2021, after trying a multitude of strategies, the cassowary conundrum was resolved.

Southern cassowaries are native to northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. They are large, flightless birds and are classified as ratites. Cassowaries are well-known for the casques on their heads, brilliantly colored faces and necks, powerful kicks, and daggerlike inner clawsv. In spring of 2021, a young six-yearold male named “Irwin” seemed old enough to give it a try. His intended mate was a mature, 36-year-old female known as “Clementine.” After much research and observation of their behavior, the pair were placed together for a month to provide them with the best possible chance of reproduction. Thankfully, she started laying her eggs. Irwin had seven eggs to incubate, and he proved he was up for the job.

On May 20, 2021, our first chick hatched. The whole department was overjoyed at this momentous occasion. Our excitement increased after the other two chicks hatched over the following week.

Heath, Tobin, and Powell are almost a year old now and are continuing to grow. They are now on exhibit next to their parents. We think you will fall in love with them, just as we have. And for us, we are ecstatic that the cassowary conundrum is a thing of the past!

Gladys Porter Zoo 500 E . Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 546-7187