Per Scientific Amrrican
Attacking cassowaries charge and kick, sometimes jumping on top of the victim. Unlike emus, which reputedly can only kick backwards (no, I don’t believe this either), cassowaries can kick in a forward and downward direction.
They may also peck, barge or head-butt. The commonest injuries they cause in humans are puncture wounds, lacerations and bone fractures. Serious injuries resulting from cassowary attacks are most likely to occur if the person is crouching or is lying or has fallen on the ground.
When confronted with a charging cassowary it’s clearly unwise to crouch or turn one’s back on the bird. Claims that jogging incites cassowaries to attack (supposedly because the sound of running feet imitates a foot-stamping rival cassowary) do not withstand scrutiny as walking people have been attacked more frequently than joggers.
“When confronted with a charging cassowary, kiss your @zz goodbye because you can’t shoot it, because Aussies are mostly disarmed.”
Unlike emus, which reputedly can only kick backwards (no, I don’t believe this either), cassowaries can kick in a forward and downward direction.
My neighbor had 2 emus. Don’t know where OR WHY he got them.
He witnessed the female jump up, lift & kick both of her legs, with her talons out & busy. She eviserated her male partner with just that one attack, and opened him up like a sword might have. Opened him up from top to bottom....one swipe. He was dead in seconds.