A young cassowary has emerged from the ocean in front of stunned on-lookers.
The remarkable sighting was reported to the Department of Environment and Science on October 31 near the Bingil Bay Campground.
Witnesses thought the endangered bird was a turtle or shark at first, before the Cassowary strolled from the water and shook off its feathers.
Wildlife officer Stephen Clough thanked the Campground host for calling the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service about the unexpected ocean swim.
“Cassowaries can swim and will take to the water to cross from one side of a river to the other, or if they feel threatened by domestic dogs or another cassowary through a territorial dispute,” he says.
“We’re not sure how long this animal was in the water or why it went for a swim, but the footage is astonishing.”
