Zoo Carries Out Annual Animal Census

A zoo in East Sussex has been busy carrying out one of its biggest tasks of the year – its annual animal census.

Drusillas Park, near Alfriston, has been counting and updating records for more than 800 animals across the site, including mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and fish. The yearly stocktake is a licensing requirement and ensures all animal records are accurate and up to date.

The census follows a busy year for the zoo, which welcomed 22 new animals in 2025. These included 17 animals born at the park and a family of five Colombian black spider monkeys that arrived from Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire.

Head keeper Gemma Romanis said that while staff monitor the animals daily, the annual census plays a vital role in maintaining precise records.
“Looking after the animals every day means we always know how many of them there are, but the annual stock take is a chance for us to ensure our records are spot on,” she said.

Among the highlights of 2025 was the birth of Boots, a binturong – also known as a bearcat – marking the first time the species has been born at Drusillas Park in its 100-year history. Keepers also celebrated the arrival of Elsie, a critically endangered Sulawesi crested macaque.

Zoo manager Mark Kenward said counting larger animals is relatively straightforward, but some species present more of a challenge.
“We can easily keep track of larger species like camels, lynx and flamingos. But then there are the trickier ones,” he said.

“Try counting a flock of lovebirds that never sit still and you’ll soon throw your hands up in defeat, and don’t even get me started on our invertebrates in the education department.

“Take our black beauty stick insects – they’re constantly laying eggs and before you know it we’ve got a full-blown population boom overnight.”

Every animal at the zoo has its own individual record card, containing information such as parentage and medical history. Once the census is complete, the data is submitted to a central database and shared with organisations including the British and Irish

Association of Zoos and Aquariums to support conservation efforts.

Drusillas Park says the annual census is not only essential for compliance but also plays a key role in animal welfare and long-term conservation planning.