London Zoo's big annual animal count begins
- Published
More than 14,000 Animals at London Zoo have been getting measured and weighed as part of an annual health check.
The zoo’s keepers monitor the heights and weights of all the animals throughout the year, but the big annual weigh-in is a chance for keepers to make sure the information they’ve recorded is up-to-date and accurate.
This zookeeper is trying to get the Humboldt penguin chicks to walk over scales one by one as they line up for their morning feed.
This keeper is measuring a giant Tirachoidea stick insect. London Zoo’s Head of Zoological Operations, Angela Ryan said: “We record the vital statistics of every animal at the Zoo – from the tallest giraffe to the tiniest tadpole."
This year is the first time that Western lowland gorilla Kiburi joined in the weigh-in
“Having this data helps to ensure that every animal we care for is healthy, eating well, and growing at the rate they should - a key indicator of health and wellbeing.” said Angela Ryan.
The measurements are stored in a big database and shared with other zoos around the world to help them keep an eye on endangered species.