London Zoo staff are counting over 10,000 animals, including new arrivals, as part of their annual stock take to ensure accurate records.
London: The staff at London Zoo have kicked off their annual stock take, and it’s quite the task! They’re counting over 10,000 animals, which is no small feat. This year, they found 11 more Humboldt penguins than last year, which is pretty exciting.
With calculators and clipboards in hand, the zookeepers are going through each enclosure. It’s a licensing requirement, so they need to tally every single mammal, bird, reptile, and even the invertebrates. They do keep an eye on the animals daily, but this formal count is crucial for official records.
Luckily, there were no surprises like escaped lions or a sudden increase in gorilla numbers. Instead, it’s a chance for the Zoological Society of London to celebrate last year’s successes. They welcomed 11 new penguin chicks, 53 endangered Darwin’s frogs, and even three lion cubs!
And let’s not forget the less glamorous but still important addition of adult medicinal leeches. It’s all part of the zoo’s diverse ecosystem.
During the count, keepers spotted the two baby gorillas, Juno and Venus, who were born earlier this year. They were being carried around by their moms, which is just adorable. The zoo is really making strides in conservation efforts.
Counting some animals is straightforward, like the three reticulated giraffes. But counting 690 golden orb weaver spiders? That’s a whole different ball game! The stock take will take about a week to finish, and it all started last Friday.
While big mammals are easier to count, the zoo’s many invertebrates also need to be included. They even have a new hive of honeybees, which they count as one to keep things simple. It’s a busy time at the zoo, but it’s all for a good cause!