Animals brave the scales for zoo's annual weigh-in

Lions, penguins and hippos have been among the creatures jumping on the scales for a zoo's annual weigh-in.

Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire will be sharing information about their animals with zookeepers across the world.

Staff had to use some cunning tricks to measure all creatures great and small, from tiny woodlice to huge camels.

One of the animals was enticed to the scales with a dab of marmite.

Sarah Forsyth, curator of mammals at Whipsnade, said: "We weigh all of the animals regularly throughout the year to keep track of their health, but the annual weigh-in is an opportunity to make sure those global records are up to date."

There are more than 11,000 animals at Whipsnade.

Getting the creatures to hop on to the scales sometimes involves some clever tactics, such as allowing the northern rockhopper penguins to p-p-p-pick up a fishy breakfast, or giving the pygmy hippo a dab of of his favourite marmite.

A group of three adult lions and seven youngsters, the pride of Whipsnade Zoo, waited in line for the scales.

Ms Forsyth said: "Obviously, trying to get seven cubs to stand on weighing scales is challenging, but it allows us to monitor their growth.

"At the age they are at, everything's exciting so it's been very challenging for the keepers to get them to stay put, but they are working on it and they will get there."

Kim Burton, a senior keeper, was responsible for checking the height and weight of Tapon, a 20-year-old pygmy hippo.

He said: "He's a happy little boy, he's about 280kg - 260's the ideal weight so he's a little bit chunky but it's better than a little bit thin - I'll adjust his diet accordingly."

His colleague George Spooner was weighing a Bactrian camel family which included Ivor, a restless three month-old baby.

Mr Spooner said: "We've been working with him since he was a month old, so he's really just learning the ropes at the moment and he's slowly getting there.

"He's not as good at it as his sister Sally was last year."

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