A meerkat is weighed at London Zoo's annual weigh-in in 2023.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
- London Zoo weighs and measures every single one of its animals each year.
- Zookeepers use the data to monitor animals' health and well-being.
Every year, animals at London Zoo step on the scale for their annual weigh-in — and, with 14,000 animals to measure, it's a task that takes zookeepers several days.
They use the information to monitor the animals' health and well-being, entering their findings into a database shared with zoos worldwide to compare and track data about endangered species, according to the zoo's official website.
Here are 10 adorable photos from this year's weigh-in from August 24.
At the London Zoo's annual weigh-in on August 24, Humboldt penguins lined up at the scale.
Humboldt penguins line up to be weighed during London Zoo's annual weigh-in on August 24, 2023. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Some penguins had to be picked up and placed in the right spot by a zookeeper.
Penguins are weighed at London Zoo. Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images
A Sumatran tiger tried to climb the large ruler in its enclosure.
A Sumatran tiger during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo in 2023. James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images
Frank the meerkat had his turn on the scale.
Frank the Meerkat is weighed during London Zoo's annual weigh-in. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
He appeared interested in checking the zookeeper's work.
Frank the Meerkat is weighed during London Zoo's annual weigh-in Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
An Asian small-clawed otter yawned while being measured.
An Asian small-clawed otter yawns during London Zoo's annual weigh-in. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
A Western Lowland gorilla examined the ruler from a tree perch.
A Western Lowland gorilla sits next to a ruler during the annual weigh-in. Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images
A zookeeper rewarded a squirrel monkey with treats for participating in the weigh-in.
A zookeeper weighs a squirrel monkey during the annual weigh-in. Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Every animal at the zoo, no matter how small, gets a turn. A Mexican redknee tarantula was weighed in a glass bowl placed on a scale.
A zookeeper weighs Mexican redknee tarantula during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo. Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images
A stick insect blended right in with the zookeeper's wooden ruler.
A member of staff measures a stick insect during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo. James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images