IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
Image: A zoo keeper poses with Humboldt penguins

World

London Zoo Census Brings Out Creatures Big and Small

The London Zoo holds its annual stocktaking at the the start of each year.

/ 8 PHOTOS
Image: Young visitors look at penguins

Young visitors look at penguins through a glass port hole at the London Zoo in London, Britain, on Jan. 4, 2016. The zoo's annual stocktake requires keepers to check on the numbers of every one of the 800 different animal species, including every invertebrate, bird, fish, mammal, reptile, and amphibian.

— ANDY RAIN / EPA
Image: A zoo keeper poses with Humboldt penguins

A zoo keeper poses with Humboldt penguins during the annual London Zoo stocktake. The compulsory annual count is required as part of the zoo's license.

— BEN STANSALL / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A London Zoo staff member with a Lama

A London Zoo staff member stands with a Llama.

— ANDY RAIN / EPA
Image: Annual Animal Stocktake At London Zoo

Zookeeper Collene Gibbings poses for a photograph next to a tank of moon jellyfish.

— Carl Court / Getty Images
Image: A London Zoo staff member holds a chameleon

A London Zoo staff member holds a chameleon.

— ANDY RAIN / EPA
Image: Keeper Jamie Mitchell poses with a Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula

Keeper Jamie Mitchell poses with a Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula.

— STEFAN WERMUTH / Reuters
Image: A ring-tailed lemur

A ring-tailed lemur looks up during the annual stocktake. The annual audit takes keepers a week to complete and all of the information is shared with zoos around the world via the International Species Information System, where it’s used to manage the worldwide breeding programs for endangered animals.

— Alastair Grant / AP
Image: Zookeeper Veronica Heldt poses for a photograph as she counts meerkats

Zookeeper Veronica Heldt poses for a photograph as she counts meerkats.

— Carl Court / Getty Images
1/8