The yearly inventory at ZSL London Zoo is currently ongoing, with zoo staff and animals enduring the cold weather conditions.
As the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) commemorates its 200th year as a charity, zookeepers have prepared their tools to count every mammal, bird, reptile, and invertebrate at the zoo. Housing over 8,000 animals, ranging from tiny leafcutter ants to massive silverback gorillas, each creature must be tallied.
The annual count is a regulatory necessity and aids in supporting global conservation breeding initiatives. Despite snowfall in the city and temperatures plunging below zero, workers were captured counting Humboldt penguins, Asiatic lions, corals, Seychelles millipedes, and capybaras on Tuesday.
Dan Simmonds, the head keeper at the zoo, emphasized the significance of this year’s inventory, coinciding with ZSL’s bicentennial celebration. “We’ve been conducting animal counts at London Zoo for 200 years. It’s a crucial day and a great opportunity for visitors to observe as well,” he noted.
“With over 8,000 animals here, there’s plenty to tally. Some are straightforward like the two capybara behind me. It’s -4C in London today with snow, but unlike the shivering keepers, the capybara are fortunate to be enjoying their heated shelter,” he added.
The counting process commenced early on Tuesday at 7 am, with all animals anticipated to be tallied by day’s end. Among the recorded figures were 75 Humboldt penguins, including 16 chicks born in 2025, a positive development for the species’ conservation efforts. Additionally, eight Socorro dove chicks hatched in 2025, signifying progress in rescuing the species from extinction.
London Zoo saw an increase of eight critically endangered Darwin’s frogs in 2025. These frogs are categorized as an EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) species, and their birth was hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against the devastating chytrid fungus threatening their survival.
The annual stocktake at London Zoo has produced a selection of standout images, showcasing various animals being counted and cared for.