Penguins, tigers, tarantulas and gorillas were just some of the thousands of creatures that stood on a scale as London Zoo keepers began recording vital statistics for the zoo’s annual weigh-in.

More than 14,000 species will participate in the zoo’s annual event, with the zoo staff expected to take several days to weigh and measure every mammal, bird, reptile, fish and invertebrate in its care to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.

The results will go into a database that’s shared with zoos around the world, according to a statement by the London Zoo. This helps zookeepers to compare important information on thousands of threatened species.

“We record the vital statistics of every animal at the zoo — from the tallest giraffe to the tiniest tadpole,” said Head of Zoological Operations Angela Ryan.

Ryan explained that the data helps to ensure that animals are healthy, eating well and growing at a healthy rate, which helps in conservation and protection efforts. It can also help detect and monitor pregnancies.

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Getting animals to step on the scale is not an easy task. Zookeepers deploy a variety of tactics to “trick” the animals into getting on the machine.

Video footage shows a zookeeper using morning feed to get the Humboldt penguin chicks to walk over scales one by one as they line up for their breakfast.

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Debuts

Making their debut at this year’s weigh-in is the western lowland gorilla Kiburi, who arrived as part of a global breeding program for the endangered species last November. Also making their debut are critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs, Zac and Crispin, who recently celebrated their first birthday.

“This weight check gives our veterinarians and zookeepers important information about the cubs’ development, with the team estimating it won’t be long until the growing duo record the same vital statistics as mum and dad,” the zoo said in a news release.

First opened to the public in 1828, the London Zoo houses a variety of animals, including Humboldt penguins, Sumatran tigers and Asiatic lions.

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