London Zoo starts annual stocktake
Updated 11:11, 07-Jan-2019
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Keepers at London Zoo start the week-long measuring of about 600 animal species. Records of all animals small and big will be kept. Since different species have different behaviors, and react differently to the counting, the hilarious moments almost never fail to capture attention around the world.
A zoo keeper with Humboldt penguins during the annual stocktake at ZSL London Zoo in London, England, January 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

A zoo keeper with Humboldt penguins during the annual stocktake at ZSL London Zoo in London, England, January 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Even animals of the same species act different from each other, zookeepers need to figure out corresponding tricks to make the animals cooperate.
Bactrian camels. The annual stocktake at ZSL London zoo. /VCG Photo

Bactrian camels. The annual stocktake at ZSL London zoo. /VCG Photo

Another challenge is to avoid repeated counting or miscount given some are quite good at hiding.
A zoo keeper poses with Humboldt penguins during the annual stocktake. /VCG Photo

A zoo keeper poses with Humboldt penguins during the annual stocktake. /VCG Photo

This year welcomes some new members, including penguin chicks, tamanduas and rescued leeches Buffy, Angel and Spike.
Zookeeper Dave Clarke poses with two Giant Flower Beatles during an event to publicize the annual stocktake at London Zoo. /VCG Photo

Zookeeper Dave Clarke poses with two Giant Flower Beatles during an event to publicize the annual stocktake at London Zoo. /VCG Photo

Last year, 19,289 animals went through the stocktake.
A zoo keeper poses with squirrel monkeys. /VCG Photo

A zoo keeper poses with squirrel monkeys. /VCG Photo

After the data collection, the zoo will share it with zoos in other countries to provide reference for better conservation.
Veronica Heldt with Poticus the pygmy goat at the annual ZSL London stocktake. VCG Photo

Veronica Heldt with Poticus the pygmy goat at the annual ZSL London stocktake. VCG Photo