
Inside Birmingham’s Quiet Conservation Effort
Tucked away beside Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park is a small but mighty conservation facility working to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable species. Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is home to animals from across continents and climates, from endangered Indonesian reptiles to century-old African tortoises. Behind the scenes, a team of keepers carries out the quiet, careful work that conservation depends on. One of their most valuable tools is now a set of industrial-grade weighing scales.
Animal weighing might not sound exciting, but it is one of the most important parts of zoo and wildlife care. A single measurement can reveal whether an animal is thriving or in trouble. It helps with everything from feeding to breeding, from health checks to habitat planning. Without accurate scales, this essential data is difficult to collect. With the right equipment, it becomes easy to monitor and share, improving welfare and conservation outcomes in a real and immediate way.
Earlier this year, Avery Weigh-Tronix and Brecknell donated a PS1000 floor scale and a set of compact food preparation scales to the park. It was a small gesture that has already made a big difference. Since the equipment arrived, it has been used across enclosures to support the care of some of the park’s heaviest and most charismatic residents, including Pete the Komodo dragon and Victor the African spurred tortoise.
The park is the only animal collection in the West Midlands to house a Komodo dragon and one of only five collections in the entire United Kingdom. This makes Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park not only a local gem but also a national contributor to the care and protection of one of the world’s most iconic reptiles.
Why Weight is Everything
In wildlife conservation, monitoring an animal’s weight is one of the most reliable ways to track changes in health and well-being. A small drop can suggest stress, illness, or underfeeding. A sudden gain might indicate fluid retention, injury, or pregnancy. Weight data helps inform care plans, supports breeding programmes, and contributes to global databases that shape how species are managed.
Before the new equipment arrived, the park relied on older, smaller weighing scales that could not safely accommodate larger animals. The PS1000 floor scale changed that. Portable, strong, and easy to clean, it has become an essential part of the team’s routine care.
Pete the Komodo Dragon
Pete is one of the most popular and fascinating animals at the park. He is a Komodo dragon, nearly 12 years old, and weighs around 90 kilograms. Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world and are native to only a few islands in Indonesia. Pete is part of a European endangered species breeding programme, and monitoring his health is essential.
The park notes that to provide the highest quality of captive management, it is essential to plot Pete’s weight regularly. Komodo dragons in the wild are ambush predators that typically gorge themselves on prey such as rabbits or small deer, then go for long periods without eating. This natural feeding rhythm can mask underlying health problems. Without a reliable way to weigh him, it would be easy to miss important signs.
Pete is not easy to bribe. He is less food-motivated than other animals, so the usual tricks do not work. Instead, he relies on his strong bond with his keeper, Adam. Pete enjoys being gently stroked on his legs and tail, which calms him and helps him approach the scale voluntarily. The scale is kept in a back area and brought out just for him. Adam prepares the space and tries to get all four of Pete’s limbs onto the platform at once, though Pete often prefers to explore, curl his tail, or push the scale around instead. It is a bit of a performance, but one that ultimately yields essential data and, more importantly, leads to better long-term care.


Victor and the Power of Bell Peppers
Victor, the African spurred tortoise, offers a very different kind of challenge. At 40 years old, he is a calm, methodical presence in the park. These tortoises can live up to 100 years and weigh as much as 70 kilograms. Maintaining Victor’s healthy weight is crucial for his shell, joints, and long-term well-being.
What Victor lacks in speed, he makes up for in appetite. His favourite food is red bell pepper, and the keepers have learned to use it as a reliable form of encouragement. As soon as he sees the peppers, Victor perks up and heads toward the scale with determination. It still takes a bit of patience to get him fully onto the platform, but once he is there, he sits calmly and allows for a perfect reading.
The PS1000 has made it possible to weigh Victor more regularly without stress or risk. He now receives tailored care that suits his size and age, and the keepers can quickly detect any seasonal weight changes.
From Lemurs to Red Pandas
Quick readings are essential since many animals only remain still for a short time. Most of them are weighed either biweekly or monthly, depending on factors such as age, health history, and behaviour. This process plays an important role in preventive care.
Better Feeding, Better Health
Alongside the floor scale, the park also received compact food preparation scales. These are used daily to weigh out meals, ensuring that every animal receives the right portion based on its species, weight, and dietary needs. This helps avoid underfeeding or overfeeding and supports specialised care for reptiles, birds, and small mammals.
By linking weight data with tailored nutrition, the park can better manage animal health at every stage of life. It also allows them to track the effectiveness of medical treatments or dietary changes.

A Wider Conservation Impact
The weight data gathered at the park does not stay there. It is logged, shared, and used as part of wider conservation efforts. Breeding programmes, veterinary collaborations, and international research projects all rely on accurate measurements to make informed decisions.
Every time Pete steps on the scale or Victor waddles up for his bell peppers, they are contributing to a broader body of knowledge that supports their species across Europe and beyond.
How Industry Supports Wildlife
For Avery Weigh-Tronix and Brecknell, this project represents the real-world value of precision weighing. The same expertise used in logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing can help improve animal care in conservation settings. It is a reminder that good equipment, thoughtfully applied, can make a tangible difference.
The team at the park were pleased to receive the donation. With limited access to larger-scale equipment, the arrival of the PS1000 was a boost to their work. It is now a central part of their routines and a quiet but essential piece of the conservation puzzle.
A Small Step with a Lasting Impact
There’s nothing dramatic about an animal stepping onto a scale. It’s a routine part of care, quick and often unnoticed. But the information it provides is essential. A simple weight reading can guide feeding plans, support medical decisions, and contribute to conservation research far beyond the park’s walls.
With accurate equipment now in place, the team at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park can monitor animals like Pete and Victor more effectively, using data to inform everyday care and long-term planning.
Support from Avery Weigh-Tronix and Brecknell has helped make that possible, giving the park the tools it needs to continue its conservation work with confidence and precision.
Visit Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50042/birmingham_wildlife_conservation_park
Interested in how Brecknell and Avery Weigh-Tronix support animal care and conservation?
Visit: https://www.brecknellscales.com/en-gb/product-category/animal-weighing/ to learn more about our specialist weighing solutions for zoos, wildlife centres, and veterinary facilities.