Bronson Richards did not expect to see a cassowary on a visit home to his traditional lands in Queensland's Gulf Savannah.

But he said that was exactly what happened when he went for a swim in a creek at Mount Surprise — more than 150 kilometres from the bird's usual habitat.

He said his dad and wider family had not seen the iconic rainforest species in the region's usually dry savannah grassland.

"When I told him, [Dad] said, 'You sure it's not an emu?'" Mr Richards said of his sighting in late September.

"But I know the difference between an emu and a cassowary, and it was definitely a cassowary.

"It's gone for a walkabout." Loading...

'Well outside' normal habitat

The cassowary is reportedly still thriving more than a month on from Mr Richards's sighting.

Tourists have report

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