London, England (The Zoo Scales)
My Announcements at the London Zoo Weigh-In
Once a year, London Zoo weighs and measures its animals. Somebody had to announce them. I volunteered.
London Zoo held its annual weigh-in, measuring about 10,000 animals, from penguins to capybaras. Some animals are trained to step onto scales. Others walk over scales hidden in their homes. The numbers help keepers track the animals’ health. I volunteered to announce it.
My Announcements
“Ladies and gentlemen, from the cold side of the zoo, the penguins! They step onto the scale like they own it. They don’t. I checked.”
“And now, the capybaras! Calm. Round. Relaxed. The most peaceful weigh-in in history. Please, no flash photography.”
“Next, the birds, who weigh themselves by walking through a doorway with a scale built in. No fuss, no ceremony, no announcement needed. I announced it anyway.”
“And that concludes this year’s weigh-in. Every animal was a winner. Please collect your fish at the exit.”
Afterwards
The keepers write everything down, and the numbers go into a shared database that helps people look after animals all over the world. That’s a wonderful thing to be part of, even as the announcer.
I asked if they’d weigh me too, for the database. The keeper said the scales are for the animals. I said I’m the star of the zoo. She said that’s the penguins, and they don’t need an announcer either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why weigh the animals?
It helps the keepers spot health problems, check growth and even notice when an animal is expecting. Weight tells you a lot.
Were the animals nervous?
Not at all. I was the nervous one. Big crowd. About ten thousand of them.