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.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
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”.
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.
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”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
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.
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
Dublin Zoo’s much better, but I did enjoy that video.
By the way, unexpected tarantula alert (from 22 to 34) for anyone playing the video!
unexpected tarantula is the worst kind of tarantula
London Zoo is all about money not animals.
Source: Matt Crossick / Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment" title="">
Source: Laura Dale / PA Wire/Press Association Images" title="">
Source: Matt Crossick / Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment" title="">
Source: Matt Crossick / Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment" title="">
have your say