As someone who has had many encounters with Cassowaries that reddit link and all the stupid comments are based on ignorance and second/third hand opinions. Are they dangerous?? Yes but in certain situations, (like when they have young especially if you get between them and their chicks) and often they will harass and attack, (as in peck at people), looking for food because ignorant/stupid people will stop driving when they see one and throw it food from the car window. Dumb bird then associates people with food and due to their size, (adult Cassowary has no natural predators), they do not fear humans and if they have been feed by us, they associate all humans with food.
And yes....... if you do encounter one in the bush or anywhere. stand your ground, stay still, make yourself as tall as possible, holding your arms or one arm in the air and if possible anything else in your hand, stick, your bag, hold them aloft so you look taller than the cassowary and do look them in the eye. Height is how they use intimidation when confronting each-other.
If it is going to attack you running will not save you, it will trigger the bird to chase you off. For 99.99999% of the time all they want to do i go about their business without any dramas and will walk pass you.
Intimidating? yes........scary? yes. .............With a healthy dose of respect, and understanding they are a wild animal with no natural predators/enemies they are basically harmless in their wild environment
This one was about 15 ft away preening itself
