Last updated at 16:43, Monday, 07 January 2013

IT would be easier if they all stood still – but one way or another, zoo staff need to count the number of animals on site.

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As part of an annual nationwide stock take, South Lakes Wild Animal Park has to produce a list of all the creatures in the zoo.

But owner of the animal park David Gill said in many ways the yearly headcount is just a formality.

Because the zoo has around 700 animals, many of them running loose on the site, he has staff counting them every day — a job that requires a full-time member of staff to oversee.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park, in Dalton, uses a high-tech international record system to keep tabs on all its animals and monitor their development.

And Mr Gill questioned the zoos that do not do the same.

He added: “If they have to go round and count, I think if they feel they have to do that, that's a big worry.

“We count just about everything every day.

“The only thing that's difficult is waterfowl – the ducks – in winter.”

But while the numbers revealed in this stock take should not provide any surprises, Mr Gill said he had been impressed with how the last year had gone at the zoo.

Despite 2012 being named the second wettest year on record, the park saw visitor numbers soar.

Mr Gill added: “It has been a really difficult year, yet we have had our best year ever.’’

He said the zoo’s computerised animal recording system is highly complex and expensive to run – but essential for keeping track of various species and ensuring genetic diversity.

Zoos around the world will be feeding into the database, including the world-famous London Zoo.

David Field, London Zoo’s director, said: “All the work we do here counting the animals is so we can understand what we have and breed together the most genetically important male and females.”

The records mean animals can be scientifically matched up and transferred to zoos for breeding, something that is vital in ensuring the continued existence of endangered species.

First published at 16:29, Monday, 07 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk