Following a bumper year for conservation breeding at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, keepers have begun the mammoth task of taking all of the weights and measurements across the zoo.
From giant giraffes to tiny cheetah cubs, every weight and measurement is recorded to help keepers and veterinarians monitor the health and wellbeing of the animals in their care.
Among those who stepped onto the scales was endangered Asian elephant calf, Anu, born in June 2026 during ZSL’s 200th anniversary year. Weighing around 110kg at birth, the calf’s first official annual weigh-In has revealed how much he has grown in just a few months. Keepers, who regularly weigh the herd, confirmed the calf, who has yet to be weaned, has gained around 1kg a day.
The zoo’s seven endangered northern cheetah cubs were also weighed for the first time. Born to first-time mums Amira and her sister Zara in May, the playful youngsters are an important boost to the international conservation breeding programme for this endangered subspecies. Their first health checks provided keepers with valuable information about their growth and development, which is shared via global databases with cheetah conservationists around the world.
Southern white rhino calf Mick also stepped onto the scales, as keepers track the growth of this future heavyweight. Adult Southern white rhinos can weigh up to 2,300kg, making Mick’s early-life measurements an important part of monitoring his development. The zoo’s two newest Bactrian camel calves, Sophia and Betty, also stepped onto the scales, while six towering giraffes had their measurements updated too.
All of the animals’ weights and measurements are recorded on Species360, a non-profit organisation that brings together a global community of zoos, aquariums and wildlife organisations to collect, share and analyse vital data on animals in human care. These records help improve animal care, support conservation breeding programmes and build knowledge of threatened wildlife – earlier this year, a ZSL-led analysis of Species360 data on elephants in human care revealed that they are now living longer than, or equal to, wild elephants.
Matthew Webb, Head of Zoological Operations at Whipsnade Zoo, said:Â “This has been a remarkable year for new arrivals at Whipsnade Zoo, with thousands of births and hatchings. As ZSL celebrates 200 years of caring for wildlife, this year’s annual weigh-in is about much more than numbers on a scale; every record, from an elephant calf’s first weight to a lion cub’s growth, help us build a better understanding of wildlife health and contribute to wider conservation knowledge of these animals.”
“Our expert keepers take a unique approach to every animal being weighed. Our elephant calf is still following closely behind mum, so a few of their special elephant biscuits helped encourage mum and calf onto the scales, while our cheetah cubs are full of energy and certainly kept the team busy trying to capture accurate weights for them all.”
As ZSL celebrates its 200th anniversary, the annual weigh-in highlights two centuries of advancing wildlife science, veterinary care and conservation, supporting ZSL’s ambition to create a new world-leading wildlife health centre that will benefit animals both in conservation zoos and in the wild.
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