I was recently traveling to a safari park when the thought crossed my mind that there are so many animals on this earth that I know almost nothing about.
Not only that, but there are countless species that I don’t even know exist. It wasn’t until I paused to consider this that I began to realize how little we actually know about the creatures with whom we share this planet.
That applies to the brave, the brilliant, and the downright frightening. Whether they are mammals, reptiles, fish, or birds, there is a certain fascination in learning about new animals, how they live, what their mating habits are, how they have evolved to behave as they do now, and everything in between.
Cassowary: the world’s most dangerous bird
I’ll be the first to admit that I had never heard of the cassowary, also known as the world’s most dangerous bird. Indigenous to the forests of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and northeastern Australia, they can weigh up to 180 pounds and possess exceptionally sharp claws that can inflict devastating wounds….
I may not know much about them, but a quick Google search is more than enough to tell me that I would never consider having one as a pet. I’m sure many of our readers feel the same way.
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Steve Christo – Corbis / Photographer
Some people apparently do want them as pets, though.
75-year-old Marvin Hajos, who lived in Florida, was one such person. A lover of animals and activist, he was well-versed in cassowaries and kept two breeding pairs as pets.
One day, however, Hajos desperately called emergency services to say he was in serious trouble. The transcript of that call is enough to make your blood run cold.
Cassowaries as pets
Reportedly, Marvin developed his interest in birds when he worked with birds as a boy at the Bronx Zoo. Eventually, he became fascinated with cassowaries, commonly considered the world’s most dangerous birds.
Throughout his life, Marvin became an expert and traveled across the US to give lectures on these birds at various colleges.
Furthermore, he possessed a permit to keep two pairs of cassowaries on his estate in Alachua, Florida.
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FOX 35 Orlando
As mentioned, Marvin had a lot of knowledge about cassowaries and knew the dangers of being near them.
Emergency call: “I’m bleeding to death”…
However, one day he was attacked and fatally injured by one of the birds he cared for. Authorities speculated that it was a fatal mistake of Marvin’s that led to his death.
Fox 35 said, “He was tending to them when he was attacked. One of the females had recently laid an egg, and the males are trying to destroy the eggs. Hajos is believed to have tried to retrieve the eggs and place them in an incubator before he was attacked.”
After the attack, Hajos managed to call emergency services and told the operator:
“Can you send an ambulance? I’m bleeding to death.”
Hajos was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Alachua County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jeff Taylor stated, “It appears it was an accident. My understanding is that the man was near the bird, and at some point, fell. When he fell, he was attacked.”
Rest in peace, Marvin Hajos.
