This new addition is notable as helmeted cassowaries have hatched this year in only two of the 54 European zoos that house this species.
The Warsaw zoo's achievement allows the public a unique opportunity to view this rare and endangered species, contributing to broader conservation awareness and education efforts about these rare creatures.
Cassowaries, considered one of the closest living relatives to dinosaurs, are known for their large size, reaching nearly 2 meters in height, and their distinctive helmet-like crest on their heads.
The purpose of this crest remains a mystery and a subject of scientific debate.
The birth of a cassowary in captivity is a rare event due to the small number of breeding pairs that successfully reproduce.
Zoo officials highlighted the essential roles of experienced caregivers, patience and meticulous cooperation with the species coordinator in achieving this breeding success.
"The key factor is the experience of the caregivers, patience, and diligent cooperation with the species coordinator," said a spokesperson for the zoo. "We succeeded! Thanks to the tremendous work of the Warsaw Zoo staff, today we can celebrate the arrival of another representative of this endemic and endangered species."
Cassowaries are solitary and when the fluffy offspring grow into adult specimens they can be among the most dangerous and aggressive flightless birds.
They are excellent swimmers, have remarkable hearing, and in times of threat, can jump up to 1.5 meters high.
During the approximately 50-day incubation period, the male cassowary tends to the eggs while the female is separated to prevent potential harm to the male and chick.
The species' natural behavior includes elusiveness, making them more often heard than seen in their native habitats near water bodies in New Guinea.
Indigenous people in New Guinea hunt young cassowaries for their meat, considered a delicacy, and use their bones to make daggers and arrowheads.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
