The annual 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) marks its 200th year as a charitable organization, keepers are equipped with 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 yearly inventory is a mandatory procedure that supports global conservation breeding programs. Despite snowfall and subzero temperatures in the capital, workers diligently counted Humboldt penguins, Asiatic lions, corals, Seychelles millipedes, and capybaras on Tuesday. Dan Simmonds, the head keeper, emphasized the significance of this year’s count as ZSL celebrates its bicentennial. “We’ve been conducting animal counts at London Zoo for two centuries. It’s a crucial day and a fantastic opportunity for visitors to observe,” he noted.
With over 8,000 animals present, the task is extensive. Simmonds highlighted the challenges faced due to the freezing conditions, contrasting the comfort of the capybaras in their heated shelter. The enumeration process began early on Tuesday, with all animals scheduled to be accounted for by day’s end. Notably, 75 Humboldt penguins, including 16 newly hatched chicks in 2025, were recorded, aiding in the conservation of this vulnerable species. Additionally, eight Socorro dove chicks hatched, marking progress in reviving the species from the brink of extinction.
The population of critically endangered Darwin’s frogs at London Zoo grew by eight in 2025, a significant development in the conservation efforts for this globally endangered species. The day’s count will be recorded in an international database shared with conservation zoos worldwide. Check out the top images from the annual inventory below:
– A capybara being fed during the London Zoo stocktake
– Lions being meticulously tallied during the count
– A London Zoo keeper examining a millipede
– Penguins being counted underwater at the zoo
– A lion trying to keep warm amidst freezing temperatures
– Fish being fed to penguins during the count for their happiness
– London Zoo’s new exhibit featuring two capybaras
– London Zoo proudly housing four Asiatic lions, a species with only a few hundred left in the wild.