Cassowary

Endangered animal to vehicles and dogs

My illustration for Animal Alphabet, letter #C - Cassowary.
The cassowaries are flightless birds in the genus Casuarius that includes three species. Their most outstanding characteristics is the keratinous skin-covered casque on the bold head. They are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia and where these shy birds live typically hidden in the deepest zones (source: Wikipedia). Cassowaries are endangered by their habitat loss and fragmentation that has increased their contact with human activity and its subsequent threatens. Indeed, attacks by dogs and, above all, the strikes by motor vehicles are a major cause of death of cassowaries (source: Rainforest Rescue).
In my drawing the cassowary and her chick are crossing a dangerous road. [2017]