Endangered and vulnerable Aussie creatures

Closely related to the ostrich and emu, the cassowary is the third tallest bird in the world. The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) lives in Australia and New Guinea. These flightless birds are frugivores (fruit eaters). The cassowary is a critically endangered species — it is thought that only 1,500-3,000 individuals live in the wild. Image: Shutterstock.