Watch: Bears tempted with honey into zoo weigh-in

More than 10,000 animals have been weighed at Whipsnade Zoo's annual weigh-in including four bears who were tempted onto the scales with honey.

Every year Whipsnade Zoo weighs and measures the animals at the Bedfordshire site to help conservationists learn how to improve their approach to animal care.

Head elephant keeper Stefan Groenveld said: "The annual weigh in is an opportunity to review our records, and also highlight the expert care the animals receive at our conservation zoos.

"It’s a huge scale operation, with zookeepers needing to use clever tactics to tempt the animals onto the scales, usually involving their favourite foods!"

Bears Cinderella, Mana, Minnie, and Naya were lured to the measuring stick by a subtle smear of honey at the top.

Mana was the heaviest bear at a colossal 203 kg, though the bears are currently gaining fat in preparation for hibernation.

Mr Groenveld added: "The heaviest animal we have here is Ming Jun, our male Asian elephant, who weighs a massive 4,420 kg."

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22 August 2024