‘World’s Most Dangerous Bird’ swims in ocean as beachgoers watch in awe

If you thought the beach was just for catching waves and soaking up the sun, think again! In a bizarre twist of events, beachgoers were left wide-eyed as the ‘world’s most dangerous bird’ decided to swap its usual turf for a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Beachgoers noticed a creature swimming toward the Bingil Bay Campground on Oct. 31, as per a Nov. 13 statement from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Initially mistaken for a turtle or shark, its true identity was revealed as it reached the shore – a juvenile cassowary, as confirmed by wildlife officials.

Cassowaries, a sizable flightless bird species found in the rainforests of Queensland and Papua New Guinea, can grow up to 6.5 feet in height and weigh around 167 pounds, as outlined by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. These birds boast a distinctive appearance with a colorful neck, a head “helmet,” and a formidable “large dagger-shaped claw” on their toes.

Recognized as “the world’s most dangerous bird” due to their considerable size, strength, and formidable claws, cassowaries pose a significant threat as per reports. The reports also emphasized the unpredictable nature of the bird’s behavior.

“Cassowaries can swim and will take to the water to cross from one side of a river to the other, or if they feel threatened by domestic dogs or another cassowary through a territorial dispute,” Stephen Clough, a wildlife officer with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, said in the release.

“We’re not sure how long this animal was in the water or why it went for a swim but the footage is astonishing,” Clough said.

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