3 days ago
Watch: Lemurs and Capybaras face the scales at London Zoo's annual weigh-in
Update:
Date: 09:56 BST
Title: Time to weigh some of the zoo's most popular residents
Content: Adam GoldsmithReporting from London Zoo
Next up, we're taking a detour via the capybaras.
We're told these two - Gizmo and Kiwi - have become some of the most popular animals at the zoo.
Our reporter Lilah will be speaking to the rodent's keeper in a moment - watch live as she gets the lowdown.
Update:
Date: 09:24 BST
Title: Watch live as London Zoo's lemurs are weighed
Content: Adam GoldsmithReporting from London Zoo
The lemurs are on the scales. Repeat, the lemurs are on the scales.
There's action in the enclosure as a few of the braver ring-tailed lemurs surround the Chelsea the zookeeper.
You can watch the lemur weighing live at the top of the page.
Update:
Date: 09:20 BST
Title: Lemurs up first, with the help of some snacks
Content: Adam GoldsmithReporting from London Zoo
First, we're visiting the ring-tailed lemurs. This group of eight are native to southern and south-west Madagascar, and are lively this morning as they climb around their enclosure.
The animal's keepers have polished off a large set of scales, and are gathering the animals interested with the help of some snacks.
Weighing them might take a while, and we'll update you as soon as we get some figures. We're told that these critters usually weigh-in at around three kilograms.
Update:
Date: 08:49 BST
Title: Humboldt penguins ready for weigh-in - are you?
Content: Adam GoldsmithReporting from London Zoo
We're just getting set up here at London Zoo, where the Humboldt penguins are already expecting their breakfast.
We'll have a live stream running through the day right here with the penguins - you can watch live at the top of the page.
You can also follow our camera crew around the other residents as the weigh-in begins.
First up, our guides are planning on taking us to see the ring-tailed lemurs; that should happen around 09:00 BST - animal dependent, of course.
Update:
Date: 08:38 BST
Title: Government sets out new standards for zoos
Content: Today's weigh-in is taking place after the UK government set out new standards for zoos in May.
This marks the first change to zoo standards in over a decade and will come into effect from May 2027. The changes are:
Zoos and aquariums now have two years to adapt to these changes.
The government's animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman says that while the UK's zoos are 'world leaders' in setting the standard for how animals should be treated, these reforms now 'lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums'.
Update:
Date: 08:13 BST
Title: What is weigh-in day all about?
Content: Aside from offering some great photo opportunities, weigh-in day is an essential opportunity for London Zoo to collect important data from its inhabitants.
Weighing animals regularly enables the zoo to monitor the development of its animal infants, for instance, and even helps to identify pregnancies.
It is also a good opportunity to cross-reference and check data that's been recorded throughout the year.
Once all the data is collected, it's added to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
This database is shared with other zookeepers at institutions around the world, and helps compare information on endangered or threatened species.
Update:
Date: 08:01 BST
Title: London Zoo's annual weigh-in day has arrived
Content: Adam GoldsmithReporting from London Zoo
Good morning from Regent's Park as London Zoo gears up for one of the biggest events in their calendar- the annual animal weigh-in.
From capybaras to camels, the zookeepers will attempt to weigh and measure over 10,000 animals to monitor their health and wellbeing, before sharing that vital data with conservation groups and sites around the world.
It's a task that's easier said than done though, when you've got a population of animals across over 300 species.
I'm expecting to see a fair share of innovative solutions as a result, and I've come with a carrot or two up my sleeve in the hope of tempting some of the zoo's inhabitants onto the scales.
As I make my way around the zoo, you can come along too by tapping watch live at the top of the page.
