AssetID: 55940958
Headline: London Zoo's animals hit the scales for their annual weigh-in
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN London Zoo’s animals strolled, slid, hopped and landed on the scales this morning (Monday 24 August 2026) as the conservation Zoo hosted its annual weigh-in. The animals are weighed and measured on a regular basis as a way of continually monitoring their health, development and even identifying pregnancies. Each measurement is added to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) on Species360, a database shared with animal carers and conservationists all over the world that helps them compare important information on thousands of endangered species. The weigh-in provides an opportunity to ensure the information recorded for each animal is up to date and accurate. These important checks are made possible by regular training, allowing London Zoo’s animals to take an active part in their own healthcare. The Zoo’s veterinary team relies on keepers’ innovative training programmes, from disguising scales in doorways to encouraging birds to hop onto perch scales, to ensure animals willingly take part in weigh-ins, receive vaccinations and even undergo pregnancy ultrasounds. Among the animals weighed this year were capybara siblings Kiwi and Gizmo. Kiwi weighed in at 45kg, while her brother Gizmo tipped the scales at 50.5kg. Elsewhere, Giant Magnolia Land Snail No. 2 weighed a modest 102.5g, highlighting the extraordinary range of species cared for at the conservation zoo. London Zoo’s Animal Operations Manager Daniel Simmonds said: “Regular weigh-ins help zookeepers track the health of our animals, including invertebrates like the magnolia land snails, the capybaras and Humboldt penguins, and genuinely help us manage the care of these animals, who play a vital role in our global conservation efforts.” The conservation zoo cares for a huge range of species, from powerful Sumatran tigers to minuscule Partula snails, which are among the Zoo’s smallest creatures, weighing in at less than 1g. Daniel added: "For 200 years, ZSL has been at the forefront of animal care and veterinary innovation, and the wildlife health centre is the next chapter in that story. While visitors will be able to see our vets and scientists at work, the impact will extend far beyond London. The centre will support ZSL’s pioneering research into wildlife health, helping us better understand the threats facing animals around the world and contributing to conservation efforts that protect species for generations to come. It's a powerful example of how London Zoo combines unforgettable animal experiences with conservation and science on a global scale."
Keywords: feature,photo,video,nature,natural world,london zoo,penguins,capybara
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