Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PHOTOS: London Zoo is doing its annual weigh-in

It helps zookeepers monitor the animals’ health and well-being.

LONDON ZOO IS carrying out its annual weigh-in.

With more than 17,000 animals in their care, zookeepers have their work cut out for them.

In a statement, the zoo said the annual weigh-in is “an opportunity for keepers … to make sure the information they’ve recorded is up-to-date and accurate, as well as to monitor the animals’ health and well-being”.

London Zoo weigh-in
1 / 4
  • London Zoo weigh-in

    Source: Matt Crossick / Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment
  • London Zoo weigh-in

    Source: Laura Dale / PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • London Zoo weigh-in

    Source: Matt Crossick / Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment
  • London Zoo weigh-in

    Source: Matt Crossick / Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment

Each measurement is added to the Zoological Information Management System, a database shared with zoos all over the world, helping zookeepers to compare information about thousands of endangered species.

ZSL - Zoological Society of London / YouTube

Mark Habben, the zoo’s zoological manager, said: “We have to know the vital statistics of every animal at the zoo – however big or small.

This information helps us to monitor their health and their diets and, by sharing the information with other zoos and conservationists worldwide, we can use this knowledge to better care for all our animals.

Habben added that “different personalities and temperaments” have to be taken into account when weighing and measuring the animals.

He said zookeepers use different tricks to entice the animals to take part, such as “getting penguins to walk over scales as they line up for their morning feed and hanging breakfast from up high to encourage the lions and tigers to reach up to their full height”.

Habben said keepers also use regular weight checks and waist measurements to “identify pregnant animals, many of which are endangered species that are part of the zoo’s international conservation breeding programmes”.

Read: Hiker found alive in remote mountain hut one month after going missing

Read: US firefighter can drive and swim again one year after face transplant

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
8 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 6:31 PM

    Fota in cork has lots of space. Something for dublin to look into. All the workers in the Zoo love animals and do their very best in fairness.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute colm connolly
    Favourite colm connolly
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 6:18 PM

    London zoo is disgraceful The elephants barely have room to get a good stretch the lions enclosure is tiny the only section that has a bit of space is the wild birds but that’s small too

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Etherman
    Favourite Etherman
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 7:15 PM

    I see what you mean. They weighed the little fish inside a penguin. That’s got to be cruel.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 6:30 PM

    Dublin Zoo’s much better, but I did enjoy that video.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 6:32 PM

    By the way, unexpected tarantula alert (from 22 to 34) for anyone playing the video!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gunnarsahn
    Favourite Gunnarsahn
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 7:51 PM

    unexpected tarantula is the worst kind of tarantula

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Helga Pataki
    Favourite Helga Pataki
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 6:13 PM

    London Zoo is all about money not animals.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joey_Westland
    Favourite Joey_Westland
    Report
    Aug 25th 2016, 10:08 PM
    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds