“It’s so chaotic, I spent a day trying to photograph fish” says a zookeeper who partook in London Zoo’s annual stocktake.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which oversees London Zoo, has finished counting over 8,000 animals to mark the charity’s 200th anniversary year.
Zookeepers at the London’s popular zoo worked around the clock for a week to count each animal, whilst gathering data in time for it to be shared with other zoos worldwide.
From the smallest invertebrates to the largest animal in the park, the Maggie Giraffe, it is one of the biggest projects of the year for London Zoo.
It is a legal requirement for a zoo’s to take an annual stocktake and is not only useful for the London Zoo’s day-to-day management but also contributes significantly towards helping endangered animals. ZSL has been doing this since 1826, and this year marks its 200th anniversary, making it a proud moment for all at the zoo involved.
A successful count
Zookeepers told City News some of the highlights included counting eight Socorro dove chicks and achieving the successful milestone of bringing the species back from the brink of extinction.
They also counted “over 75 Humboldt Penguins” which marked an important conservation milestone for the birds. The species, which is native to the coasts of Chile and Peru, is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with wild populations in decline.
Gizmo and Kiwi the Capybaras are counted by keeper Holly Dorning as it snows during London Zoo’s Annual Stocktake 2026 in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
What’s next?
The count concluded at the end of January, and the data is now ready to be uploaded to their Zims – Species360 database. One of the most essential uses of this data is to support breeding programmes for endangered species. The dataset will include stocktake measurements, veterinary health records, and selected genetic samples sourced from the ZSL Biobank.
ZSL acknowledge the ongoing controversy surrounding zoos and insists the data collected is imperative for the welfare of animals and is more than a bureaucratic exercise.
A spokesperson for ZSL said:
“It’s a reminder of the impact we have had over two centuries — protecting species, advancing scientific understanding, and connecting people with wildlife.”
Keeper Jay Firtina feeds the Humboldt Penguins during London Zoo’s Annual Stocktake. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The 200th annual stocktake is not only a milestone in itself but a proud moment for the progressive work ZSL have been doing for in order to keep animals safe worldwide.
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HeadlineZSL has completed its 200th annual stocktake of London Zoo and the data is now ready to be shared worldwide
Short HeadlineLondon Zoo’s 200th annual stocktake has been chaotic but worth it
StandfirstZookeepers told City News the annual stock count has been chaotic but worth it
“It’s so chaotic, I spent a day trying to photograph fish” says a zookeeper who partook in London Zoo’s annual stocktake.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which oversees London Zoo, has finished counting over 8,000 animals to mark the charity’s 200th anniversary year.
Zookeepers at the London’s popular zoo worked around the clock for a week to count each animal, whilst gathering data in time for it to be shared with other zoos worldwide.
From the smallest invertebrates to the largest animal in the park, the Maggie Giraffe, it is one of the biggest projects of the year for London Zoo.
It is a legal requirement for a zoo’s to take an annual stocktake and is not only useful for the London Zoo’s day-to-day management but also contributes significantly towards helping endangered animals. ZSL has been doing this since 1826, and this year marks its 200th anniversary, making it a proud moment for all at the zoo involved.
A successful count
Zookeepers told City News some of the highlights included counting eight Socorro dove chicks and achieving the successful milestone of bringing the species back from the brink of extinction.
They also counted “over 75 Humboldt Penguins” which marked an important conservation milestone for the birds. The species, which is native to the coasts of Chile and Peru, is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with wild populations in decline.
Gizmo and Kiwi the Capybaras are counted by keeper Holly Dorning as it snows during London Zoo’s Annual Stocktake 2026 in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
What’s next?
The count concluded at the end of January, and the data is now ready to be uploaded to their Zims – Species360 database. One of the most essential uses of this data is to support breeding programmes for endangered species. The dataset will include stocktake measurements, veterinary health records, and selected genetic samples sourced from the ZSL Biobank.
ZSL acknowledge the ongoing controversy surrounding zoos and insists the data collected is imperative for the welfare of animals and is more than a bureaucratic exercise.
A spokesperson for ZSL said:
“It’s a reminder of the impact we have had over two centuries — protecting species, advancing scientific understanding, and connecting people with wildlife.”
Keeper Jay Firtina feeds the Humboldt Penguins during London Zoo’s Annual Stocktake. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The 200th annual stocktake is not only a milestone in itself but a proud moment for the progressive work ZSL have been doing for in order to keep animals safe worldwide.
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