THIS video shows the ‘world’s deadliest chick’ hatched at a Cotswold bird park as they take their early steps around their enclosure.

The bird, a southern cassowary, is now around seven weeks old and has been confidently walking round the front of the enclosure with their father.

Birdland Park & Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water announced the arrival of the rare southern cassowary chick in early September after more than two decades of breeding attempts.

The chick is active and has been feeding themself.

They are now visible often to the public from their enclosure as the chick and their father venture around more confidently.

The chick is currently eating a diet of finely-chopped fruit, steamed vegetables, boiled egg and live food.

The cassowary is native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northern Australia and related to the emu.

They are seen as so dangerous due to a sharp claw, their powerful legs and aggressive behaviour when they are threatened.

Visitors have been flocking to Birdland over the last month after its first successful hatching of a southern cassowary.

The chick is yet to be named and sexed, but keepers are hopeful they will find out in the near future.

Head keeper at Birdland Alistair Keen said: “We haven't been able to name or sex the chick yet, but we are hoping to do it soon.

“We are trying to train them to go into the shed with Dad, and in theory, when that happens, we will be able to get some feathers and do a DNA test.

“We have had a noticeable increase in footfall over the last month as they have caused quite a stir in the zoo world, even making the news in New Zealand.

“The chick is fit and healthy and now has quite the personality and has become quite showy.”

Yesterday (Thursday, September 26) was World Cassowary Day, which raises awareness for the rare and endangered bird.

The southern cassowary chick is the only one born in the UK this year and one of only four to be born in Europe.

The birth was a major milestone for Birdland.

Alistair continued: “It's a big deal because we have had eggs before but we have not had any chicks.

“In 2023, we had broken eggs, and last year, we were also unsuccessful.

“This year, we had four eggs. One went missing fairly early on, but we were still hopeful.

“The eggs take around 50 days to hatch, and I received a call from a really excited keeper.

“We are all really chuffed.

“Ideally, we would have liked three or four, but if you had offered me one, I would have said: ‘Yes please.’”