London Zoo Animals Hop on Scales for Annual Weigh-In
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London Zoo Animals Hop on Scales for Weigh-In
Image source: PA Media
Image caption: All animal statistics, including those of Kiwi the Capybara, will be shared with keepers across the globe
By Ruth Comerford
London
Animals at London Zoo are being checked and measured as part of its annual weigh-in day to monitor their health and wellbeing. Zookeepers will need to coax every bird, reptile, fish, and mammal—from the largest rodents in the world to the greenest katydids—to the weighing scale. Each measurement is added to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), a global database shared with animal carers and conservationists that compares important information on thousands of endangered species.
Although the zoo houses more than 14,000 animals, keepers will only have time to measure and log the weight of about 400 creatures.
Image source: PA Media
Image caption: Humboldt penguins are listed as vulnerable in the wild due to threats such as climate change, overfishing, and habitat disturbance.
Many of the animals are trained to perch on a scale while zookeepers note down their measurements, but others will need to be tempted with a strategic snack.
Image source: PA Media
Image caption: Vietnamese magnolia snails hide away in their shells as they are weighed
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Related topics:
- Zoos and Zoology
- London
- Animals
- Endangered species
- Zoological Society of London
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