A large rare bird that escaped after a traffic accident in which it was seriously hurt will stay in a temporary enclosure until an exotic animal veterinarian can treat it, said Orem police Cpl. Dan McKown.

The bird, known as a cassowary, was hurt late Thursday afternoon when a semitrailer crashed into its enclosure at an exotic-animal farm near the University Parkway exit of Interstate 15, said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Ted Tingey.

Troopers initially thought the bird was dead, but in the chaos after the accident it escaped. As they searched for it, police issued warnings that the emu-size species can be dangerous to people.

It was found Friday night, about one-half mile from the accident scene, near 800 South and 1300 West in Orem.

Lindsay Whitehurst