A Florida man died after being attacked by a cassowary he kept on his property as part of his collection of exotic animals.
Marvin Hajos, 75, was attacked in 2019 while attempting to collect eggs from one of the birds in Alachua, Florida.
Hajos had kept cassowaries for years and was reportedly passionate about the species. He had a permit to own the birds and was known for his knowledge of them.
Authorities said Hajos was trying to retrieve an egg and place it in an incubator when one of the cassowaries attacked him.
He called for his daughter’s help, but she was unable to assist. Hajos was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Cassowaries are large, flightless birds known for their powerful kicks and long, sharp claws. They can reach speeds of around 30 mph and weigh more than 100 pounds.
Following the attack, the family eventually decided they could no longer keep the birds on the property.
Hajos was reportedly only the second person known to have died in a cassowary attack. The previous documented fatality occurred in Australia in 1926.
