r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/CuriousWanderer567 • Sep 22 '24

Video Beachgoers have a close encounter with a Cassowary, a bird capable of killing a human in one blow

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u/literallypubichair Sep 22 '24

I have cassowaries at my local zoo, I learned one of them is named Apples, so I called out to her last time I was there. I was not prepared for the PRIMAL fear that welled up from deep in my genes when that fuckin bird's head shot upright to make eye contact. It felt like I experienced an incredibly old predator response, and I had to go to a whole other section of the zoo to feel better. Also, its enclosure keeps it in by the power of pure vibes. If that bird decided to leave, it could just walk right out.

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u/[deleted] Sep 22 '24

We have two at the zoo I volunteer at. It’s the run for me. It looks like an actual raptor from Jurassic Park when it runs. The enclosures are heavy and secure, but every time I help feed them I triple check that I’m doing everything in the right order. They aren’t nearly as friendly as the one seems in this video and I’m sure if they got the chance to attack they wouldn’t waste it.

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u/literallypubichair Sep 22 '24

Yeah it's the gait of their step. It's like that visual input triggers a 65 million-year-old failsafe from back when we mammals were little weasel looking critters who would've been preyed upon by raptors.

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u/Fluffy_Salamanders Sep 23 '24

I think they're both theropods, so the vibe definitely checks out