Zoo Animals Get Weighed

Wednesday, 27 August, 2025154 words2 minutes
Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, England, recently conducted its annual weigh-in for all its animals. This event is crucial for monitoring the health of the zoo's diverse inhabitants, from tiny woodlice to enormous camels.
Zookeepers employed various clever tactics to encourage the animals onto the scales. For instance, the northern rockhopper penguins were enticed with a fishy breakfast, while a pygmy hippo was tempted with a dab of Marmite, its favorite treat.
The weigh-in isn't just for the zoo's records. The collected data will be shared with zoos worldwide, contributing to global animal health and conservation efforts. This information helps zookeepers everywhere to better understand and care for their animals.
Some animals proved more cooperative than others. While adult lions patiently queued for their turn, the young lion cubs were more challenging to weigh due to their playful nature. Similarly, a young Bactrian camel named Ivor was still learning to behave during the weigh-in process.
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Zoo Animals Get Weighed
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Words

  • diverse
  • inhabitants
  • enticed
  • conservation

Quiz

  1. 1. What is one method zookeepers used to get animals on the scales?

  2. 2. Why is the data from the weigh-in shared with other zoos?