London Zoo animals hop on scales for weigh-in
London Zoo is conducting its annual weigh-in, where keepers measure and log the statistics of various animals. This data is uploaded to a global database to help conservationists monitor the health and wellbeing of endangered species.
Why it matters
Standardized health data collection is vital for the global conservation of endangered species and tracking population trends.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, All animal statistics, including those of Kiwi the Capybara, will be shared with keepers across the globe
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.
Many of the zoo's 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.
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