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A couple enjoying their lunch at a park were taken by surprise when a cassowary approached.
A couple having a picnic in Queensland received some unwanted company when the "world's most dangerous bird" tried to get into their lunch.
But the image taken by an Innisfail local has sparked some debate about whether the picnic bench should be fenced off to protect the public from the local cassowary.
Local man Norm Shum snapped the photograph of a couple enjoying their meal at a shaded picnic bench in Etty Bay, between Cairns and Townsville, yesterday morning.
The area is known for its cassowary sightings. (Google Maps)
"We usually go down there just for a drive and this time I wanted to walk down and get a shot of the beach," Mr Shum told nine.com.au.
"It's not the first time I've seen it (a cassowary in the park) but as I turned around the cassowary was walking to the picnic tables, and came up to the table there.
Mr Shum said the humans were possibly the uninvited guest in the scenario with the cassowary known to frequent the area.
"There's been two there at one stage," he said.
"There were some other tourists taking a few shots of it too, and they sort of said 'hey look there's the cassowary' before it wandered off down the beach."
"Long time resident of Etty Bay," one person commented on Mr Shum's photo, shared on social media.
Cassowaries are similar to emus and stand up to 6 feet tall and weigh up to 60 kilograms. (AP (file photo))
Fencing not considered a feasible option, council says
The photo prompted a number of comments from residents concerned about the impacts of feeding the wildlife and sparked suggestions of erecting a fence to stop cassowaries from approaching humans.
Most locals were against fencing off the area and said the incident served as a warning to other people not to feed the birds.
"Put your food scraps away then there's usually no problems," one person commented.
"Obviously that's what's been happening for it to be coming so close," Mr Shum said.
Cassowaries are considered the world's deadliest birds. (Fairfax)
"There's other stories too about people having picnics on the beach. They (cassowaries) are so quiet that you sort of turn around and next thing you know it's looking over your shoulder."
In a statement a Cassowary Coast Regional Council spokesperson said the council had engaged in discussions with stakeholders about fencing the eating areas at Etty Bay.
"Fencing of the eating areas at Etty Bay has been discussed at Cassowary Recovery Team meetings however, due to the nature of use fencing is not considered a feasible option in this instance," the statement read.
"We all have a part to play and we need to work together to reach practical solutions that can balance the safety of the community with the safety of Cassowaries."
The spokesperson said the cassowary was an important asset to the community's identity.
"It is a major asset to our tourism industry and plays a significant role in maintaining the diversity of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest," the statement reads.
"Council urge residents and tourists alike, to take note of signage and help to protect these iconic birds that call our region home."
Feeding cassowaries illegal in Queensland
It is illegal in Queensland to feed cassowaries.
"Never feed cassowaries - it is illegal, dangerous and has caused southern cassowary deaths," the Queensland environment department website reads.
Cassowaries are usually considered to be the world's most dangerous bird.
They most often attack when they have eggs or chicks to defend.
Attacking cassowaries charge and kick, sometimes jumping on top of the victim.
The most common injuries they can cause in humans are puncture wounds, lacerations and bone fractures.
When confronted with a cassowary, it's advised that humans back away slowly and protect their front with a bag or backpack.
'World's most dangerous bird' crashes couple's picnic lunch
www.9news.com.au
