Microchip Scanning at London Zoo
A rockhopper penquin investigates the scanner When an animal needs clinical attention, it is important to be able to identify the individual so that their clinical records can be consulted, and an accurate record of their treatment can be kept. However, while it is easy to distinguish between the two lions at ZSL London Zoo, with some other species it can be more challenging.
To help tackle this problem, we have implanted microchips in most of our animals, and we have been recently involved in the product development of a new microchip scanner with Bayer Animal Health.
ZSL London Zoo were pleased to be able to help Bayer Animal Health with the product development of a new walk-through scanner, GateMax, particularly as the zoo has been looking for a way to scan our penguins as they go in and out of nest boxes. This would allow us to be able to know which penguins are breeding by monitoring who is tending each nest.
A pygmy marmoset takes a closer look Representatives came to visit the veterinary department to see how they can help in the management and treatment of our living collections at ZSL London Zoo.
The GateMax scanner both identifies the animal and records their weight, which is a really important way to check that animals are keeping in good health, and should be monitored regularly.
We took the scanner along to the penguin exhibit, where our birds happily walked through the GateMax after their keepers. To test the effectiveness of this equipment in an exhibit environment, we disguised the scanner with hessian cloth sacks and installed it into the Clore Rainforest Lookout.
Keepers have been spending a lot of time clicker-training the primates in this exhibit, working to follow a target for a reward. This enables the keepers to get a specific monkey down from the branches for check-ups and to receive any medication.
clicker training with a Golden headed lion tamarin This training proved useful to get the monkeys down to the scanner. Although initially wary, the monkeys in the exhibit eventually came down for a closer look, and we gathered some good readings on the microchip scanner.
The veterinary department are also working with Bayer to develop a microchip scanner in the style of a pointer, which could be really useful for quick identification of a specific animal in an enclosure, without having to catch them up, minimising stress.
We hope that our participation in this research will lead to a new generation of microchip scanners that will allow more advanced management of animals in captivity.
Watch the penguins getting scanned in the video below: