The hook caused severe internal damage and despite veterinary attention, the cassowary died.
The death of a juvenile cassowary near Innisfail has prompted safety reminders for people to avoid feeding cassowaries and to dispose of fishing waste properly.
Wildlife Rangers had been monitoring an adult male cassowary and its three juvenile offspring that had started approaching people for food in the Coquette Point area for several weeks.
On 27 July 2025, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation received a report that one of the juvenile cassowaries had a length of fishing line dangling from its beak.
Wildlife Ranger Stephen Clough said the bird was captured and sedated for assessment but despite the best efforts of local veterinary staff, the cassowary died from injuries.
"We believe the baited fishing hook was discarded as rubbish near the Johnstone River, and then picked up by the bird," Mr Clough said.
"Discarded hooks fishing line are well-documented threats to sea birds and can also harm species like cassowaries.
"People are asked to remove bait from hooks after a fishing session, and discard and unwanted fishing tackle properly into a bin."
