There are few birds on the planet that make people afraid, but the cassowary is an exception. Known as the "world's most dangerous bird," this beautiful but deadly bird roams the rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. With its bright blue face, casque-shaped helmet, and razor-sharp talons, the cassowary is as lovely as it is lethal. This flightless bird has the height of a human and can weigh as much as 310 kg, which makes it one of the biggest birds in the world.

“There’s just something primeval about them. They look like living dinosaurs,” Andrew Mack, a researcher who spent five years studying cassowaries in Papua New Guinea, told CNN.

Although they are widely known to be ferocious, cassowaries tend to avoid people in general and prefer living in isolation. Cassowaries are not naturally hostile and hardly ever attack humans. Nevertheless, when cornered or threatened, they can cause serious injuries.

Speed, strength, and deadly kicks

Though they are not able to fly, cassowaries are very fast runners with their strong legs pushing them at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour. They are also skilled swimmers and can swim rapidly.

One of the more deadly cassowary habits is its practice of jumping an entire seven feet off the ground to kick force-fully and hard. Provided with dagger-like claws, this animal can cut through both animals and, more importantly, human beings effortlessly. 

Though cassowaries are sometimes feared, humans are a far greater threat to them than the reverse. “Many more cassowaries die from humans than humans die from cassowaries,” said Peter Rowles, founder of the Community for Coastal & Cassowary Conservation.

For anyone who happens to come across a cassowary in the wild, Rowles has some very important tips: “The first thing is put your hands behind your back. Be as boring as you can be, so you’re not attracting that cassowary’s attention. Move behind a tree. Just blend into the environment. Don’t scream and yell and wave your arms around.”

Cultural significance and conservation efforts

Cassowaries are of cultural importance to certain native communities, being part of traditional dances, rituals, and folklore. Some of these indigenous communities are themselves involved in cassowary conservation activities to safeguard the species from habitat destruction and human encroachment.

Although cassowaries are still one of nature's most intriguing and powerful birds, giving them their space and keeping their habitat intact is essential to their survival. Through effective conservation practices, these incredible "living dinosaurs" will keep on thriving in the wild for generations to come.

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