Adelaide Zoo Welcomes First Cassowary Egg in 34 Years

Martina, a Southern Cassowary at the Adelaide Zoo, recently laid a fluorescent green egg, ending a 34-year period without a cassowary egg at the facility[1][5]. This event happened after the 10-year-old female and 13-year-old male, Jeffrey, were paired in August 2026[5].

The egg laying represents a step forward for the captive breeding program, which aims to conserve Southern Cassowaries, a species listed as endangered in Australia[6][7][8]. The egg's unique color is a natural adaptation, helping it blend into its rainforest environment.

What the records show

The distinctive fluorescent green egg laid by Martina gets its color from the natural pigment biliverdin[5][10][14][15]. This pigmentation aids in natural camouflage, allowing the eggs to blend with rainforest leaves and offering protection from predators[5][10][14]. Southern Cassowaries are ground-nesting birds[9][10][14]. Martina, the female cassowary, was born in 2016, making her 10 years old[5]. Jeffrey, the male, was born in 2013 and is 13 years old as of October 2026[5]. Zoos SA, a not-for-profit conservation charity, oversees the Adelaide Zoo and engages in captive breeding programs[3][4]. These programs work to maintain 90% genetic diversity over 50 years and achieve consistent breeding among species[2]. The Australian Government lists the Southern Cassowary as Endangered[6][7][8].

The timeline

The Adelaide Zoo first saw a cassowary chick hatch in 1968, followed by six more in 1992[5]. Following 1992, the zoo had no cassowary eggs for 34 years[1][5]. Martina and Jeffrey were paired together in August 2026 as part of a managed breeding process[1][5]. Erin, Team Supervisor Birds and Free Flight, discovered the egg[5]. Southern Cassowaries typically have their breeding season during the Southern Hemisphere's winter months, from April to November[9][10].

What changed and for whom

The successful laying of an egg is an achievement for the Adelaide Zoo's conservation team and for the wider captive breeding program for Southern Cassowaries[1][5]. The species faces threats, being listed as Endangered in Australia[6][7][8]. Conservation efforts, including habitat protection and rehabilitation in Queensland’s Wet Tropics rainforest, have helped stabilize wild cassowary populations after past forest clearance[6]. Captive breeding programs, like the one Adelaide Zoo participates in, play a role in ensuring the survival of captive populations and supporting biodiversity through education and research[2].

What the subject has said publicly

Erin, Team Supervisor Birds and Free Flight at Adelaide Zoo, conveyed enthusiasm about the development. Erin stated, "This is really exciting news for us because it has been 34 years since we've had successful cassowary chicks here at Adelaide Zoo, so the team and myself included are very excited"[5]. Erin also mentioned, "Martina and Jeffrey have only been paired since August this year, and this is the first time they've ever been put together"[5]. The pairing involved observing their vocalizations and how tolerant they were of eating near each other before barriers were removed[5].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific timeline for the egg's hatching or the expected arrival of a chick. We also could not confirm the exact number of eggs laid by Martina beyond the initial reported discovery.