Incidentally, next time you visit, would you be so kind as to ask if the subspecies of these animals is known? Considering the fact that RSCC tends to source from wild-caught animals and rescue centres in the native range, these animals are almost certainly a pure form of Northern Cassowary - would be nice to know which!
The northern cassowaries are now monotypic. It is so difficult to classify them when humans have moved birds around the island and there is much blurring between subspecies.
Certainly many taxonomists take that view, but not all. To some extent, I wonder if it is 'lazy' taxonomy - further investigation of the situation is definitely merited.
The RSCC birds are said to be of the aurantiacus form.
I see Zootierliste shows the Walsrode birds as being C. u. rufotinctus, which may be 'a split too far'.
Those authorities who recognise subspecies of the Northern Cassowary tend to list only four; each of them including other named forms:-
Thus we shouldn't assume that the Sandwich and Walsrode birds are of different subspecies: it's a question of how much splitting (if indeed any) is valid.
Building work on the extension was delayed by the severe floods earlier in the year and visitors are not yet allowed free access to this part of the premises; however, it is possible to approach the Malayan tiger exhibit when accompanied by a member of staff on a conducted tour.
When on the ‘tiger tour’, it is clear to see that progress is being made with developing the extension; building work has definitely advanced since my two previous visits this year. I believe that the intention is for the bulk of the work to be completed during the winter season so that it will be ready for when the collection re-opens next spring.
Building work on the extension was delayed by the severe floods earlier in the year and visitors are not yet allowed free access to this part of the premises; however, it is possible to approach the Malayan tiger exhibit when accompanied by a member of staff on a conducted tour.
When on the ‘tiger tour’, it is clear to see that progress is being made with developing the extension; building work has definitely advanced since my two previous visits this year. I believe that the intention is for the bulk of the work to be completed during the winter season so that it will be ready for when the collection re-opens next spring.
