Samenvatting

The Southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) is a vulnerable species in Northern Australia. Literature research on the cassowary population in Mission Beach, Queensland, revealed the vulnerability by identifying various threats endangering the cassowaries. Those threats were assessed by various research projects. Different actions were suggested and partly implemented for the protection of this species. The numerous amount of institutions dedicated to the conservation of the cassowaries underline the problematic situation of this bird. The additionally accomplished survey questionnaire of experts on site executed in the present study highlights the current situation of the cassowary and illustrates the opinion of experts at present. According to the literature and these experts, the main threat is the ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation whereas road kills cause the highest mortality. A remarkable finding is the inaccurate and irregular elicitation and documentation of precise population numbers and remaining cassowary habitat size in the Mission Beach area. Although conservation actions are implemented, the population is still declining. Consequently, it is essential to review and improve the planned and performed mitigation strategies. In order to do so, more detailed research on the cassowary population and the remaining habitat in Mission Beach is necessary to allow predictions of the population development and concentrate on most successful actions.