The weight is over for zoo’s ‘huge scale operation’ to protect threatened species

Reticulated giraffes and European brown bears were amongst the animals having their vital statistics measured as part of Whipsnade Zoo’s annual weigh. 

Recorded in a global database, the weights and measurements collected will enable zookeepers around the world to compare important information on thousands of threatened species.  

The largest zoo in the UK, Whipsnade Zoo is home to over 10,000 amazing animals, many of whom are sadly endangered in the wild, so the zoo works to protect threatened species through conservation.  

A growing waistline can indicate a pregnancy, which is important to inform Whipsnade Zoo’s approach to animal care, as well as for their species, as many are threatened in the wild and part of vital collaborative conservation breeding programmes. 

Among those measured at Whipsnade Zoo were two giraffe calves, born just three weeks apart in June and July. They are just a fraction of the height of dad Bashu, who stands at over 15.5 feet tall. 

The endangered species were tempted over to a measuring stick placed in their paddock using their favourite food, a lush branch of willow.   

Zookeepers Adam Davidson and Helen Rawson encouraged the zoo’s male Bongo, Pembe, onto a giant weighboard using his favourite veggies, recording his weight as 349kg. 

Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, recording Pembe’s weight will help inform vital research for vets, conservationists, and scientists around the globe who are striving to protect these animals in the wild.  

Aardvarks Dobby and Terry snuffled their way onto the scale in return for some breakfast, clocking in at 44.6kg and 53.5kg respectively. 

Meanwhile, burrowing owl Ettie and red hornbills Marli and Guinea fluttered onto weighing branches to have their weights recorded by bird keeper Anna Brink.  

Finally, Whipsnade Zoo’s bears Cinderella, Mana, Minnie, and Naya were tempted over to a measuring stick by a subtle smear of honey at the top. The largest of the four, Mana takes top spot for heaviest at a colossal 203 kg. 

The conservation zoo’s bears arecurrently in hyperphagia, a period of excessive eating, which sees them gaining fat in preparation for their hibernation later in the year.  

Stefan Groenveld, head elephant keeper at Whipsnade Zoo, said: “We regularly weigh all of the animals at Whipsnade Zoo throughout the year to keep track of their health, but the annual weigh in is an opportunity to review our records, and also highlight the expert care the animals receive at our conservation zoos.

“It’s a huge scale operation, with zookeepers needing to use clever tactics to tempt the animals onto the scales, usually involving their favourite foods! The heaviest animal we have here is Ming Jun, our male Asian elephant, who weighs a massive 4,420 kg.”