Capybaras, penguins and giant Galapagos tortoises on the scales for London Zoo weigh-in
Priscilla, a 30-year-old giant Galapagos tortoise, was lured onto a board scale with a lettuce snack while the Humboldt penguins jostled in line for zookeeper Jessica Ray on Tuesday.
There are more than 10,000 animals at the zoo across 4,000 species.
The record was expected to go to Molly the giraffe, who usually weighs about 700 kilos.
London Zoo's animals are weighed and measured on a regular basis as way of monitoring their health, development and identifying pregnancies.
Zookeepers employ different training methods or techniques to get individuals to step on to the scales.
Many of the zoo's animals are trained to perch on a scale while zookeepers note down their measurements while, for some, scales may be placed in doorways or disguised in their habitats, meaning the animal can be weighed without realising.
London Zoo's animal operations manager Daniel Simmonds said: 'The London Zoo annual weigh-in is not just about numbers on a scale; regular weigh-ins help zookeepers track the health of our animals – including the capybaras, tortoises and penguins – and genuinely help us manage the care of these animals, who play a vital role in our global conservation efforts.'
Each measurement taken is added to the zoological information management system, a database shared with animal carers and conservationists all over the world that helps to compare important information on thousands of endangered species.
The zoo cares for a range of species, from towering giraffes to tiny Darwin's frogs, which are one of the zoo's smallest creatures, measuring two centimetres in length and under two grams in weight.
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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Giant Galapagos tortoise aged 30 and the world's largest rodents among animals in London Zoo's annual weigh-in
A 30-year-old giant Galapagos tortoise named Priscilla and a pair of the world's largest rodents were among more than 10,000 animals at London Zoo's annual weigh-in. London Zoo is home to 4,000 different animal species that are all weighed and measured on a regular basis to monitor their health, development and identify pregnancies. Zookeepers use different training methods or techniques to get individual animals to step on to the scales - Priscilla was lured onto a board scale with a lettuce snack. A pair of capybaras, Humboldt penguins, and a ring-tailed lemur troop were also among the animals to step on the scales. Tint Darwin's frogs weighed in as one of the Zoo's smallest creatures, measuring just two centimetres in length, and under two grams in weight. London Zoo's animal operations manager Daniel Simmonds said: 'The London Zoo Annual Weigh In is not just about numbers on a scale; regular weigh-ins help zookeepers track the health of our animals - including the capybaras, tortoises, and penguins - and genuinely help us manage the care of these animals, who play a vital role in our global conservation efforts.' Many of the zoo's animals are trained to perch on a scale while zookeepers note down their measurements. Meanwhile, for some, scales may be placed in doorways or disguised in their habitats, meaning the animal can be weighed without realising. The zoo says that their weigh-in is an opportunity to ensure the information recorded for each individual is up-to-date and accurate. Each measurement is added to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), a database shared with animal carers and conservationists all over the world. This helps experts to compare important information on thousands of endangered species. Daniel added: 'Our animals here at London Zoo receive world-class care - and a huge part of this is our meticulous planning of their diets. 'Our zoo-tritionist ensures every animal is getting the nutrients they need, while our keepers devise ways to feed the animals that spark all of their natural instincts - keeping them fit and challenged.'
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Capybaras, penguins and giant Galapagos tortoises on the scales for London Zoo weigh-in
A pair of capybaras, Humboldt penguins, giant Galapagos tortoises and a ring-tailed lemur troop were among the animals to step on the scales at London Zoo's annual weigh-in. Priscilla, a 30-year-old giant Galapagos tortoise, was lured onto a board scale with a lettuce snack while the Humboldt penguins jostled in line for zookeeper Jessica Ray on Tuesday. There are more than 10,000 animals at the zoo across 4,000 species. The record was expected to go to Molly the giraffe, who usually weighs about 700 kilos. London Zoo's animals are weighed and measured on a regular basis as way of monitoring their health, development and identifying pregnancies. Zookeepers employ different training methods or techniques to get individuals to step on to the scales. Many of the zoo's animals are trained to perch on a scale while zookeepers note down their measurements while, for some, scales may be placed in doorways or disguised in their habitats, meaning the animal can be weighed without realising. London Zoo's animal operations manager Daniel Simmonds said: 'The London Zoo annual weigh-in is not just about numbers on a scale; regular weigh-ins help zookeepers track the health of our animals – including the capybaras, tortoises and penguins – and genuinely help us manage the care of these animals, who play a vital role in our global conservation efforts.' Each measurement taken is added to the zoological information management system, a database shared with animal carers and conservationists all over the world that helps to compare important information on thousands of endangered species. The zoo cares for a range of species, from towering giraffes to tiny Darwin's frogs, which are one of the zoo's smallest creatures, measuring two centimetres in length and under two grams in weight.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Capybaras, penguins and giant Galapagos tortoises lured on scales for weigh-in
A pair of capybaras, Humboldt penguins, giant Galapagos tortoises and a ring-tailed lemur troop were among the animals to step on the scales at London Zoo's annual weigh-in. Priscilla, a 30-year-old giant Galapagos tortoise, was lured onto a board scale with a lettuce snack while the Humboldt penguins jostled in line for zookeeper Jessica Ray on Tuesday. There are more than 10,000 animals at the zoo across 4,000 species. The record was expected to go to Molly the giraffe, who usually weighs about 700 kilos. London Zoo's animals are weighed and measured on a regular basis as way of monitoring their health, development and identifying pregnancies. Zookeepers employ different training methods or techniques to get individuals to step on to the scales. Many of the zoo's animals are trained to perch on a scale while zookeepers note down their measurements while, for some, scales may be placed in doorways or disguised in their habitats, meaning the animal can be weighed without realising. London Zoo's animal operations manager Daniel Simmonds said: 'The London Zoo annual weigh-in is not just about numbers on a scale; regular weigh-ins help zookeepers track the health of our animals – including the capybaras, tortoises and penguins – and genuinely help us manage the care of these animals, who play a vital role in our global conservation efforts.' Each measurement taken is added to the zoological information management system, a database shared with animal carers and conservationists all over the world that helps to compare important information on thousands of endangered species. The zoo cares for a range of species, from towering giraffes to tiny Darwin's frogs, which are one of the zoo's smallest creatures, measuring two centimetres in length and under two grams in weight.
