Wallabies weighed and millipedes measured as park counts animals

From weighing wallabies to measuring millipedes, staff at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park have been carrying out their annual animal count.

The 57 species in the measuring programme had their vital statistics recorded over the course of seven days as part of a national animal audit.

The yearly task involves lots of treats and coaxing to document accurate figures for the height, length and weight of the animals involved, which makes for some amazing images.

All types of animals from millipedes to polar bears are measured at their home in the park in Cantley, south Yorkshire.

Three-year-old Hamish was the first polar bear born in the UK for 25 years and has been part of the scheme since birth. He currently weighs in at more than 650kg and measures two and a half metres tall.

Thanks to its own Project Polar Bear, the park is now home to eight polar bears, and is one of the world's leading centres for welfare and conservation of the animal.

Several populations of polar bears are at risk of declining numbers due to threats such as climate change.

The park is also home to more than 25 wallabies, who are all measured by keepers.

The park keeps two species; Bennett's and swamp wallabies, which are both native to Australia and can grow to just under one metre tall and weigh around 18kg.

It is part of a national scheme which generates a database of animal information from more than 1,100 zoos and organisations across the UK in a bid to further collaboration and animal conservation.

The data feeds into a global bank of information which covers more than 22,000 species and 10 million animals.

The scheme is critical to conservation efforts.

Charlotte MacDonald, director of animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, 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 have their measurements taken and recorded.

'It can be tough getting the wallabies to stay still long enough and the giraffes are obviously a tall order, but the staff are very experienced, efficient and patient.'