Large, flightless bird attacks, kills owner in US

(14 Apr 2019) A large, flightless bird native to Australia and New Guinea attacked and killed its owner when the man fell on his farm in Florida, authorities said Saturday.

The Alachua County Fire Rescue Department told the Gainesville Sun that a cassowary killed the man Friday on the property near Gainesville, likely using its long claws.

The victim was apparently breeding the birds, state wildlife officials said.

The county sheriff's office identified the victim as Marvin Hajos, 75, and said a death investigation has been opened.

Cassowaries are similar to emus and stand up to 6 feet (1.8 metres) tall and weigh up to 130 pounds (60 kilograms), with black body feathers and distinctive, bright blue heads and necks.

The San Diego Zoo's website calls the cassowary the world's most dangerous bird with a four-inch (10-centimetre), dagger-like claw on each foot.

Cassowaries are eaten in parts of New Guinea. The birds are not raised for food in the U.S., but are sought after by collectors of exotic birds, according to authorities.

Wildlife officials did not answer phone calls late Saturday from The Associated Press and it wasn't immediately known what would happen with the bird.



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