Christmas Miracle for the Orphaned Cassowary Chick
A rescued cassowary chick named Bunji thrives on Queensland’s Gold Coast, becoming a symbol of hope for endangered species
Bunji, Cassowary, Gold Coast, Queensland, Wildlife, Conservation
Gold Coast: So, there’s this little cassowary chick named Bunji who was found all alone on the side of a road in Queensland. Poor thing was just trying to survive, and it was a tough start for him.
He was discovered back in June near Cairns, and wildlife officers searched high and low for his dad but came up empty. They realized he wouldn’t make it on his own, so they stepped in to help.
When they rescued him, he was super weak and couldn’t even stand properly. It was a rough situation, but the team didn’t give up. They took him to the Garners Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Centre, where he got some serious TLC.
For a week, they had to feed him through a tube, which sounds pretty intense. But after a couple of weeks, he started to perk up! He could walk around and even munch on some quandong seeds that had fallen from the trees.
Fast forward to December, and Bunji moved to the David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast. Now, he’s not just surviving; he’s become an ambassador for his species!
According to Kylie Zaia, a ranger at the park, Bunji is helping to teach visitors about the importance of protecting these amazing birds and their environment. He’s already a hit with tourists, strutting around and showing off.
It’s heartwarming to see how far he’s come, and he’s shining a light on the crucial work being done to save threatened species in Queensland.