Counting Creatures in London Zoo's Spectacular Stocktake
Thursday 6 January 2005
It's that time of year again and London Zoo's keepers are having a huge New Year count of all our animals. However, due to our number and range of creatures they certainly won't be counted two by two
While for most people the annual stocktake involves seeing how many pens are left in the stationery cupboard, at London Zoo our big count is far more exciting than that.
On 5 January, photographers followed our keepers around the Zoo as they toted up the tigers, counted our Banggai cardinal fish (the first birth of 2004), marveled at the moon jellyfish, pointed out the penguins and did some sums with the snakes!
London Zoo keeper counting the tigers
As keepers reach for their clipboards and calculators to tally up our residents, it becomes easy to see just how much conservation work London Zoo is doing. Taking 'pride' of place in the Zoo is our very own king of the beasts, Lucifer. This two year old male Asiatic lion will play an important role in a vital European breeding programme. Also sliding their way to success are our Bermudian snails. These highly endangered land snails were brought to London Zoo as part of what really was a last chance for these Bermudian beauties.
Counting the tortoises
London Zoo offers close encounters with over 600 species in a wide range of natural habitats as keepers count cats, total up tortoises and check out the chimps!