Cassowary road toll prompts speed call
CONSERVATIONISTS are urging drivers to slow down in areas where the cassowary lives after a spike of deaths of the endangered species.
In Kuranda, three juveniles have been hit and killed by vehicles in the overtaking lane near Saddle Mountain Road turn-off in as many months.
The last surviving chick of Elvis, the cassowary, was killed on July 2.
Along with a change.org petition calling for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to reduce the 80km/h speed limit on the deadly road to 60km/h, cassowary silhouettes commemorating each of the lives lost have now been erected at the scene of the tragedies.
Jax Bergersen, of Kuranda Conservation, said the cutouts were an example of community action urging motorists to slow down. “This whole thing has gained a life of its own, with different people doing different things,” Ms Bergersen said.
“There are activists out there who are trying to get the message across.
“It’s one of those things where people feel they have to do something.”
A Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman said there had been 14 cassowary deaths reported to the agency so far this year.
“Thirteen of which are reported to be vehicle strikes or suspected vehicle strikes,” she said.
“Of these, four strikes have occurred in the Mission Beach area, two in Kuranda, two in Mourilyan, and six others in various locations across cassowary habitat.
“We remind motorists to slow down and stay alert when travelling through the area, and if they see injured or sick wildlife to call 1300 130 372.”
Kuranda-based conservationist Patrick Dauwe said his wife, Susan Schwass, painted the cassowary cutouts in frustration after continued lobbying to reduce the speed limit had been knocked back by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“TMR (was approached) to lower the speed to 60km/h but they have no intention to change anything,” he said. “Cassowaries have been living here for 60 million years.”
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