Weigh-in: More than 600 animals are sized up

Victor stepped onto the scales to record a healthy 621 kilos while Pixel came in at 525 kilos as part of the task to chart the vital statistics of more than 600 animals.

Staff needed everything from micro devices to industrial weighing machines to get the tale of the tape on the unique collection of animals.

From insects and tiny reptiles to heavyweight rhinos and polar bears, all had to have their measurements taken in the animal audit.

Tasty treats and improvised weighing scales were employed by the clever rangers and their staff as they spent a week on the audit.

Debbie Porter, animal manager of the park at Branton, near Doncaster, said: “It can be a test of our ingenuity but the staff are experts at handling the animals and making sure they are comfortable while they take the measurements. The staff know the animals well and are experts at making each creature comfortable so the job gets done calmly and efficiently.”

Among the animals getting their measurements taken included giant otters Mora and Alexandra, squirrel monkeys and insects including snails and cockroaches.

Insects were weighed on tiny scales fit for purpose while the bigger animals were enticed with their favourite snacks.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park brings visitors almost face to face with some of the world’s most beautiful and rare species, including Amur leopards and tigers, giraffes, meerkats and lions.

The park and Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation are key 
players in international conservation programmes and the audit is part of the International Species Information System, which acts as a central data bank of all animals.

The park is open every day.