Every summer, as the sun rises over the lush grounds of Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, a unique tradition unfolds. Keepers, clipboards in hand and a toolkit of tasty treats at the ready, prepare for the annual weigh-in—a logistical feat involving more than 11,000 animals, from the tiniest woodlice to the most imposing lions. On August 22, 2025, this year’s event drew global attention, not just for its scale but for the stories and personalities behind the numbers.
According to BBC, the weigh-in is much more than a quirky spectacle. Sarah Forsyth, curator of mammals at Whipsnade, explained, “We weigh all of the animals regularly throughout the year to keep track of their health, but the annual weigh-in is an opportunity to make sure those global records are up to date.” The information is shared with zookeepers worldwide, contributing to a global database that helps monitor the well-being and breeding of endangered species.
Creatures great and small took their turn on the scales, but not without a little coaxing. Marmite, it turns out, is a favorite among pygmy hippos, and a fishy breakfast is irresistible to northern rockhopper penguins. The keepers’ ingenuity was on full display as they enticed lions, camels, and penguins to cooperate—sometimes with more success than others.
Among the animal stars was Oakley, a Bactrian camel, who tipped the scales at a hefty 766kg (120 stone). His family, including a restless three-month-old named Ivor, also participated. Zookeeper George Spooner, tasked with weighing the camel family, noted, “We’ve been working with him since he was a month old, so he’s really just learning the ropes at the moment and he’s slowly getting there. He’s not as good at it as his sister Sally was last year.”
The penguins, meanwhile, proved to be a crowd favorite. Northern rockhopper penguins, weighing in at an average of 3.5kg (8lb), lined up for their turn on the scales, lured by the promise of breakfast. The lions, both adults and cubs, presented a different challenge. Adult lions weighed up to an impressive 192kg (30 stone), while the cubs, at about 36kg (5 stone 7lb), brought a playful chaos to the proceedings. “Obviously, trying to get seven cubs to stand on weighing scales is challenging, but it allows us to monitor their growth,” Forsyth said. “At the age they are at, everything’s exciting so it’s been very challenging for the keepers to get them to stay put, but they are working on it and they will get there.”
Then there was Tapon, the 20-year-old pygmy hippo, who came in at 280kg—just a bit above the ideal weight of 260kg. Senior keeper Kim Burton observed, “He’s a happy little boy, he’s about 280kg - 260’s the ideal weight so he’s a little bit chunky but it’s better than a little bit thin - I’ll adjust his diet accordingly.” The annual weigh-in, it seems, is as much about diet and discipline as it is about data.
Whipsnade’s efforts are mirrored at other zoos across the United Kingdom. Just days earlier, on August 19, 2025, London Zoo held its own weigh-in, as reported by The Atlantic. Keeper Jessica Ray was spotted watching Humboldt penguins as she recorded their vital statistics. The event, like Whipsnade’s, is a vital tool for monitoring the health and development of the animals, and, occasionally, even identifying pregnancies.
But the summer of 2025 brought another heartwarming story from the world of zoos. At Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, six-year-old Max Evans-Browning from Neyland, Pembrokeshire, made headlines as Britain’s youngest ever zookeeper. According to BBC, Max’s passion for animals began early—he drew 99 animals to celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 99th birthday, a gesture that delighted the legendary naturalist himself. “He’d greatly enjoyed the drawings,” Attenborough said in a message to Max.
Max’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Chessington recruited him to work alongside their zoo team over the summer, giving him special training and a list of real responsibilities: cleaning enclosures, preparing food, conducting health checks, and caring for the animals. For Max, it was a dream come true. “This summer is the best,” he exclaimed, especially enjoying his time with the giraffes and monkeys. Seren Cottrell, education officer at Chessington, praised the young keeper: “Max has been an excellent addition to our team so far and his wealth of animal knowledge is second to none.”
The annual weigh-ins at Whipsnade and London Zoo, along with Max’s inspiring story, highlight the evolving relationship between humans and animals in captivity. These events are not just about numbers—they are about care, connection, and the ongoing quest to better understand and protect the natural world. The data collected from these weigh-ins feeds into a global effort to safeguard vulnerable species, manage diets, monitor health, and inform breeding programs. For keepers, it’s a chance to check on their charges, spot potential health issues early, and ensure that every animal—from the smallest insect to the largest mammal—is thriving.
Elsewhere in the world, animals continued to capture the public imagination. The Atlantic’s weekly photo roundup included images from the London Zoo weigh-in, as well as scenes of wildfires in Spain and Portugal, military parades in China, and cultural festivals from Bulgaria to Brazil. But it was the image of keeper Poppy Jewell weighing a capybara at London Zoo that stood out—a quiet reminder of the patient, persistent work that goes on behind the scenes at zoos everywhere.
These annual rituals—whether weighing a hippo or welcoming a six-year-old zookeeper—serve as a bridge between the public and the animal kingdom. They remind us that every animal, no matter how large or small, deserves care and attention. They also foster a sense of wonder and responsibility in the next generation, as seen in Max’s journey from animal lover to honorary keeper. In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, these stories offer a glimmer of hope and a call to action, inviting us all to play our part in protecting the planet’s extraordinary diversity of life.
With each weigh-in, each new keeper, and each shared story, the bonds between humans and animals grow stronger—one scale, one smile, and one summer at a time.
