Owner Killed by Exotic Bird While Trying to Retreive an Egg
Incident Date:
04/13/2019
Location:
Alachua County, FL - USA
Facility Name:
Private Residence
Facility Type:
Exotic Pet (E)
Incident Category:
Escape/Attack resulting in human death (HD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Cassowary
Animal disposition:
Other
Summary:
An Alachua man is dead after he was attacked by an exotic bird he was keeping on his property. Alachua County sheriff’s deputies say the 75-year-old was breeding the rare birds, a Cassowary. The man was killed inside the bird’s pen when he was trying to retrieve an egg from one of the birds, and the bird attacked. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed to TV20 that there is no permit required to breed cassowaries in Florida. Cassowaries are classified as Class II Wildlife, which means that they pose a danger to people. The future of the two breeding pairs of birds, which remain on the property, will be decided by the family.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: