On Friday I got a call from my neigbour Bronwyn telling me the cassowary chick Bernie, that had been hit by a car, was near her house. I went straight away. He was still there and I managed to get some photos . We observed him for a while. He is limping badly, his foot is very swollen and it appears it may be broken but I am not a vet. Two claws from his left foot are missing. He has survived for over three weeks and looks to be in fairly good condition so is obviously finding enough food and water.
We hope QPWS will assess the situation and perhaps set up a food station for Bernie with a surveillance camera to monitor his progress.
We hope QPWS will assess the situation and perhaps set up a food station for Bernie with a surveillance camera to monitor his progress.
The accident highlighted the concerns about the increased traffic now using the Bingil Bay Road as a regular access road. A lot of heavy vehicles and trades people are using it and many of the vehicles are travelling way over the 60 kph limit. Current law states that the speed limit in urban areas is 50kph unless otherwise signed. It is time the Bingil Bay speed limit was changed in line with all the other roads at Mission Beach.
The local community have been calling for the speed to be reduced along the narrow winding roads approaching and through the quiet village for a long time. Here is a report in the Bulletin in 2009 at a public meeting held to discuss the Bingil Bay picnic upgrade. At the time the locals voiced their most important concern was to address the danger children face walking to the beach on this road where the traffic speeds.
Council inaction has prompted the local Bingil Bay community to take action in the hope to again raise awareness. Residents watching Bernie cross the road each day feared for his safety and the owners of the Bingil Bay Cafe who are constantly aware of the speeding traffic started a petition to Council to lower the speed limit and introduce traffic calming.
Council inaction has prompted the local Bingil Bay community to take action in the hope to again raise awareness. Residents watching Bernie cross the road each day feared for his safety and the owners of the Bingil Bay Cafe who are constantly aware of the speeding traffic started a petition to Council to lower the speed limit and introduce traffic calming.
In a separate statement, footprints were painted on the road reminding traffic this is a cassowary crossing area. The annonymous artist has placed these prints on other roads at various times. Another set appeared near the hardware store after a bird was killed there in 2009.
More action was taken when members of the local Bingil Bay community placed signs along the roadside from the Treehouse Hostel turnoff down to the beach pleading to traffic to slow down and watch out for kids and cassowaries. 30 signs were placed along the narrow winding roads where there have been cassowary deaths and regular sightings of birds crossing the roads. Approaching the Bingil Bay village, signs alert traffic to the presense of children.
Backpackers from the Hostel explore the area by walking in both directions to Garners Beach and into the Bingil Bay village. The current speed of vehicles on these roads is a threat to all walking traffic.
Backpackers from the Hostel explore the area by walking in both directions to Garners Beach and into the Bingil Bay village. The current speed of vehicles on these roads is a threat to all walking traffic.
By chance, the following photos were taken by Paul Toogood shortly after the signs were put up on Monday. (Thanks Paul) They show the birds crossing the road at a point between a corner and a crest. A vehicle, especially large trucks travelling at 60 or more kph would have difficulty in avoiding a bird or birds in this situation.
Paul's photos give the opportunity to fill in a little background on these birds known as Joov and Barbara. I wrote about joov in the last post about Bernie. They are a good example of how to tell the difference between a female and male, apart from the obvious size difference. The tail 'feathers' on the female are much more rounded with the male's coming more to a point. Casques, wattles and the markings around the eye are also very individual and can easily be compared in a clear photo.
Barbara (left) and Joov
Barbara is thought to be 35 - 40 years of age and known as one of Mrs Joressens birds. Mrs Jorrisen bequethed her large rainforested property at Garners Beach to National Parks especially for the birds. The Cassowary Rehabilitation Centre occupies part of the property.
I have only seen Barbara at my place once when she enticed Joov to her patch. She obviously crosses the road where Paul's photos are taken and I have seen her cross there. QPWS 'Recent Crossing' signs have also been placed at this point. When I periodically see Joov at my place he would have crossed Bingil Bay Road right at the place where Bernie was hit.
The photos below were taken on the 17 July at Plantation Drive.
I have only seen Barbara at my place once when she enticed Joov to her patch. She obviously crosses the road where Paul's photos are taken and I have seen her cross there. QPWS 'Recent Crossing' signs have also been placed at this point. When I periodically see Joov at my place he would have crossed Bingil Bay Road right at the place where Bernie was hit.
The photos below were taken on the 17 July at Plantation Drive.
There are plenty of reasons for the speed limit to be reduced at Bingil Bay. The problem has been identified long enough and it is time to address it.
The petition will be presented to Council soon so I hope there can be road managment put in place that will protect our community and wildlife on the Bingil Bay Council road.
If you would like to help, drop by the Bingil Bay Cafe and sign the petition. While you are there, stay for a coffee, tea or beverage of your choice, a snack or meal if you like, it's great food and atmosphere.
The petition will be presented to Council soon so I hope there can be road managment put in place that will protect our community and wildlife on the Bingil Bay Council road.
If you would like to help, drop by the Bingil Bay Cafe and sign the petition. While you are there, stay for a coffee, tea or beverage of your choice, a snack or meal if you like, it's great food and atmosphere.
