NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is welcoming three new cassowary chicks.
According to a news release, Boris, the male cassowary at the zoo, and Earline, a female cassowary produced the three chicks that hatched at the zoo last week. They also produced a single male chick in June 2013.
The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/1nyn8hy) that zoogoers can see Boris and his pack of chicks on the far side of the Australia exhibit behind the barn. After the chicks’ sexes are determined, they’ll be named.
Cassowaries are flightless birds and feed mainly on fruit. They are among the largest birds, slightly smaller than the ostrich and emu, but they can inflict serious injuries with their claws. While attacks are rare, cassowaries have the reputation of being the world’s most dangerous birds.
___
Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
