A Daintree resident with a deep sense of care and empathy has put the call out for assistance in a bid to potentially save the life of an endangered species and one of our most treasured and unique bird types in the Douglas Shire – the humble, but beautiful, cassowary.

Just days ago Cow Bay resident, Steve, encountered a juvenile cassowary – who he believes to be around 12 months old – noticeably limping and hobbling on the grass around his house.

Upon closer inspection Steve identified a severe deformity in the bird’s lower left leg/claw area, something, he suggests, may have happened at birth or otherwise.

The deformity has caused the bird to appear malnourished and struggling to maintain good health.

It’s also prompted Steve to be concerned that it may, inadvertently, fall future victim to being attacked by a dominant adult female cassowary or, maybe an adult male defending its chicks.

The good samaritan that he is, over the past few days Steve has temporarily cared for the bird as it has come and gone from his property, but the concerned resident says the main priority remains for it to be relocated and to receive the appropriate attention from cassowary experts.