Imagine driving down a quiet highway when suddenly, something unexpected appears on the road and traffic comes to a complete standstill. That’s exactly what happened to one travelling dad, whose incredible roadside discovery left motorists stunned for a full 20 minutes.
What he found was so rare and astonishing that it quickly became the talk of the town. Read on to uncover what exactly was it that brought their journey to a halt.
The open road in Australia is often associated with vast landscapes and the occasional kangaroo crossing, but for Dominick Hawkes, a 32-year-old father, his road trip turned into a wildlife encounter that stopped traffic and provided a rare and educational spectacle.
Dominick, along with his partner Bianca and their three-year-old daughter Margaux, embarked on a journey of over 1,000 kilometres from Mackay to Queensland’s Mission Beach to catch a glimpse of the elusive and prehistoric-looking cassowary, a bird that has become an icon of Australian wildlife.
This region, known as cassowary country, is one of the few places where these endangered birds can still be found in the wild. After several days of fruitless searching, Dominick’s persistence paid off.
‘I really wanted to show my daughter a cassowary. I was going on bush walks and every rainforest hike, even if it was for five kilometres, to try to find one,’ he told Yahoo News Australia.
His efforts were rewarded when an adult male cassowary and his two chicks appeared on the road, creating a ‘shock and awe moment.’
In his excitement to document the encounter for his daughter, who had missed the initial sighting, Dominick grabbed his long-lens camera and stepped out of his car. As he attempted to capture the moment, other vehicles began to arrive, and soon both lanes were blocked by the curious birds as they ‘observed’ their surroundings in the middle of the road.
For 20 minutes, traffic was at a standstill as Dominick and other motorists patiently waited for the birds to clear the road. The wait was worth it, not just for the drivers who got to witness these rare creatures up close, but for Dominick’s family as well.
Later, near their accommodation, Margaux finally saw a cassowary, making their journey a resounding success.
‘They’re amazing creatures… I’m so pleased we saw them,’ Dominick concluded, his daughter’s experience with Australian wildlife now a cherished memory.
Dominick, a Canadian by birth who migrated to Australia at the age of 18, has always been fascinated by Australian wildlife. Growing up in the Badlands of Canada, near the Royal Tyrell Museum—a dinosaur excavation hotspot—he was inspired by the adventurous spirit of the late Steve Irwin.
‘They’re the most amazing Jurassic-looking things and you’ll never see it anywhere else,’ he said of the cassowaries.
Cassowaries are indeed a sight to behold, with their vibrant blue necks, horn-like casques atop their heads, and powerful legs. However, their population has significantly declined due to habitat loss from land clearing for development.
The Wet Tropics Management Authority estimates there are only about 4,000 adult cassowaries left, classifying them as endangered.
If you’re planning a road trip in search of Australia’s diverse creatures, be sure to stay informed about local guidelines and how to observe animals responsibly. Remember that while it’s thrilling to see wildlife in their natural habitat, it’s crucial to maintain a safe distance and respect their space.
At YourLifeChoices, we love hearing stories of wildlife encounters and the joy they bring. Have you had a memorable experience with Australia’s unique fauna? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
Also read: The unseen risks of glue traps: Protecting Australia’s vulnerable wildlife
