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London Zoo animals take to scales for annual weigh-in

PA Media Penguin standing on a scale as a keeper kneels next to it with a clipboard to record its details at annual weigh-in.PA Media
The weigh-in sees the zoo's animals get their annual health check while gathering important data

Animals at London Zoo are being checked and measured as part of its annual weigh-in day.

The zoo staff will need to gently tempt every mammal, bird, reptile, fish and invertebrate, from Humboldt penguins to camels and lion cubs, by strategically placing food next to the scales to check their health and wellbeing.

Data is then added to the Zoological Information Management System.

It is shared with zoos around the world and helps zookeepers compare information on threatened species.

Angela Ryan, head of zoological operations at London Zoo, said the weigh-in, which began on Monday and can take up to a week, will form an important part of gathering data to help protect animals in the wild.

Although the zoo houses more than 14,000 animals, Ms Ryan said the keepers will only have time to measure and log the weight of around 400 creatures.

PA Media Keeper Mick Tiley documents a Bactrian camel standing on scales during the annual weigh-inPA Media
Keepers are documenting all animals, small and large, including Mick Tiley with the Bactrian camels
PA Media Lion cubs, Mali, Syanii and Shanti during the annual weigh-in at ZSL London Zoo.PA Media
Newcomers to the zoo lion cubs, Mali, Syanii and Shanti were tempted onto the scales to see how they're growing
PA Media Zoo keepers Bernie Corbett and Owen Shrewsbury (right) weight a Mangalista pig called Olive during the annual weigh-in at ZSL London ZooPA Media
All animal statistics, including Mangalista the pig's, will shared with keepers across the globe to help compare information on thousands of threatened species
Getty Images Visitors walk past a replica of the artwork by street artist Banksy, depicting a gorilla releasing animals, on the front of a shutter outside London zooGetty Images
The weigh-in took place a week after guerrilla artist Banksy dotted animal-based works all over London, including at the zoo
Getty Images Photographers take photographs of an Asiatic lion cub during a photocall to promote the London Zoo annual 'weigh-in' event Getty Images
The annual event always puts the zoo's animals in the spotlight
Getty Images A camel bites the clipboard of held by a zookeeperGetty Images
Not all of animals were happy with the results of their weigh-in

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