London Zoo kicks off annual animal stocktake

Jae Jae, a Sumatran Tiger examines a noticeboard during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

LONDON (Reuters) - Keepers at London Zoo began the arduous task of counting some 600 different species on Thursday, carrying out the park's week-long annual stocktake.

From tigers to monkeys, the zoo keeps records of all animals great and small as a requirement of its license. Last year, it recorded 19,289 animals.

"We have a lot of different species and within each species we have a lot of different individuals with different behaviors," Animal Operations Manager Angela Ryan said. "So being able to make sure that we can see them, that we don't double count them, can be quite challenging."

Zookeeper Tony Cholerton sits amongst Squirrel Monkeys during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

New additions this year include penguin chicks, tamanduas and rescued leeches Buffy, Angel and Spike.

After the census is completed, the park will share the tally with other zoos around the world in a bid to aid international conservation programs.

Zookeeper Nicola Verby views penguins during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

(Reporting by Alex Fraser; Editing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Kirsten Donovan)

Zookeeper Sarah Ellerton-Baine feeds penguins during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Zookeeper Jamie Mitchell views an Orb Spider during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Zookeeper Dave Clarke poses with two Giant Flower Beatles during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Zookeeper Mick Tyler stands with Bactrian Camels during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Penguins are seen during an event to publicise the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Britain, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville