Visiting a safari park recently opened my eyes to how little I truly know about the incredible diversity of life on Earth. There are countless species I’ve never even heard of—some brilliant, some bizarre, and others downright terrifying.

One such creature is the cassowary, often called the world’s most dangerous bird. Native to New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and nearby islands, cassowaries can weigh up to 180 lbs and possess dagger-like claws capable of inflicting fatal injuries. After reading about them, I instantly knew I’d never consider one as a pet. But not everyone shares that instinct.

Marvin Hajos, a Florida man in his 70s, was a lifelong bird lover and expert who kept cassowaries on his property. He’d studied them for years, lectured at colleges, and held permits to raise them. But in 2019, tragedy struck.

While tending to his birds—possibly trying to protect eggs from being destroyed—Marvin fell. One cassowary attacked, and he managed to call 911, saying, “Can you send an ambulance? I’m bleeding to death.” He later died from his wounds.

Despite his expertise, Marvin’s story is a haunting reminder: no matter how much we love or study wild animals, their instincts remain—powerful and unpredictable.