LONDON — London Zoo is undertaking its annual inventory of the diverse species inhabiting its grounds, from alpacas to zebras, along with a plethora of birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. This extensive count of over 10,000 animals is crucial for the zoo’s operational license, and the resulting data will be distributed globally to assist in the management of breeding programs for endangered species.
Glynn Hennessy, the zoo’s lead primate keeper, highlighted the importance of collaboration among zoos today. He stated that there’s a significant advancement in the way information is shared, allowing facilities to track the genetic lineage of individual animals. “We can trace the genetic lineage of every animal, including historical information about their grandparents and their representation in the breeding pool,” Hennessy explained. This data enables them to make informed and responsible breeding decisions.
Looking ahead, Hennessy expressed excitement for 2024, marking it as a significant year for the zoo. Among the new arrivals are two baby gorillas, Juno and Venus, along with three Asiatic lion cubs named Mali, Syanii, and Shanti. The zoo also celebrated the birth of 11 penguin chicks, a group that is always popular with visitors.
In addition to these larger mammals, the zoo has welcomed 53 new frogs, which carry special names honoring Charles Darwin. These amphibians arrived from Chile last fall as part of a conservation effort aimed at combating a devastating fungal disease impacting their species.
While counting larger mammals presents fewer challenges, cataloging the variety of invertebrates proves more complex. Among these invertebrates is a flourishing colony of honeybees, which, for the purposes of the inventory, will thankfully be counted as a single entity, easing the counting process for the zookeepers.
