Whipsnade Zoo animals lured on to scales for annual weigh-in
- Published
More than 11,000 animals have been lured on to weighing scales at a zoo to monitor their health and wellbeing.
Whipsnade Zoo, external weighed butterflies, lemurs and bears on Monday, as the site carried out its annual weigh-in.
European brown bears Minnie and Mana were encouraged using a dash of honey and the lemurs were tempted by their favourite food of sweetcorn.
"We have to come up with creative tactics to entice them," said Tim Savage, team leader of birds.
The eight-foot bears weighed 148kg and 174kg (328.4lb and 383.6lb) respectively.
Their weight and vital statistics were recorded on the shared Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) database, to help zookeepers worldwide compare information about threatened species.
Mr Savage said the information helped improve "the husbandry and welfare standards of all the animals we look after".
Follow East of England news on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and Twitter, external. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
Related topics
- Published10 August 2023
- Published3 August 2023
- Published8 July 2023