It should not be forgotten, among the stories of wings and heavenly song, that the corella virus sweeping the population can be deadly. Particularly vulnerable are the elderly and the vain.
The now world-famous big cat keeper welcomes the elaborate plumage, which has erupted overnight through his silver quiff, as another layer of flamboyance. Lashings of his hastily concocted signature scent, ‘Androcles’ mask something else new – a whiff of poultry – as he walks towards the enclosure.