Australia replanted a former runway in the Daintree with 24,500 trees; the cleared land now reconnects a wildlife corridor

A former airstrip in the Daintree Rainforest is being restored to create safer, connected habitat for the Southern Cassowary. At Cow Bay, up to 10 hectares of barren land once stood between two sections of rainforest, disrupting an important wildlife corridor. A project led by Rainforest Rescue, with support from the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME), has focused on restoring the old runway with approximately 24,500 trees.Reportedly, the Southern Cassowary is listed as Endangered under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and faces threats including habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes and attacks by dogs. The restoration is designed to reconnect rainforest habitat while supporting the cassowary and many other rare, endangered and endemic species found in the Daintree Rainforest.How will 24,500 trees restore a former airstrip in the Daintree RainforestThe project focuses on the former airstrip property at Cow Bay, where an old runway has left up to ten hectares as a barren stretch between connected areas of rainforest. FAME describes the site as a key wildlife corridor in the Daintree Rainforest, with recent Southern Cassowary sightings in reforested areas.Restoring the remaining open section is intended to re-establish ecological continuity and create a continuous, safe and healthy habitat. Rainforest Rescue’s nursery and land management teams are cultivating and planting approximately 24,500 trees across the site. The planting is designed to reunite the two rainforest sections and support the Southern Cassowary as well as numerous rare and endangered species unique to the Daintree again.Why is the Southern Cassowary important to the rainforestThe Southern Cassowary is described as a keystone species of Australia’s rainforests and an indicator species whose well-being reflects the health of the ecosystem. It plays a key role in seed dispersal, helping promote forest regeneration and biodiversity. The species is listed as Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.FAME lists habitat loss caused by development and fragmentation among its threats, along with vehicle strikes and attacks by domestic or feral dogs. Invasive species, including pigs and plants, can also degrade food sources and nesting areas.Cassowaries may also wander into settlements or agricultural zones, creating risks linked to human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, reducing vehicle collisions, controlling invasive species, and public education.Which endangered species will benefit from the restored rainforest habitatRestoring the old runway is intended to benefit more than the Southern Cassowary. FAME says the project will support critically endangered fauna including the Beautiful Nursery-frog, Armoured Mistfrog and Northern Tinker Frog. Critically endangered flora listed include Crepidomanes aphlebioides, Hymenophyllum whitei, Thornton Peak Stink Bush and Bubbia whitean.Other listed beneficiaries include the Spectacled Flying-fox, northern Spotted-tailed Quoll, Eastern Curlew, Lesser Sand Plover, Red Goshawk, Tapping Nursery Frog, Waterfall Frog and Common Mistfrog.The project also includes endangered flora, endemic possums and gliders, endemic fauna and migratory birds. These include the Lemuroid Ringtail Possum, Green Ringtail Possum, Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, Musky Rat Kangaroo, Daintree Rainbow Fish, Shining Starlings and Torresian Imperial-Pigeon naturally.How will the restored rainforest support waterways and wildlifeThe restoration has benefits beyond wildlife habitat. According to FAME, the new plantings will help naturally filter sediments from waterways, improving water quality and reducing turbidity for the Great Barrier Reef. The project is also intended to help mitigate climate change. Rainforest Rescue is increasing wildlife corridors and creating safe, connected habitats for rescued and restored wildlife across properties.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.