London Zoo's top five zoo babies of 2015

Gernot the baby gorilla is stroked by his older sister. Credit: London Zoo.

2015 was a busy year at the London Zoo - with new babies being born to hundreds of the thousands of animals that live there.

Today the zoo completed its annual stocktake, information that this then shared around the world using the International Species Information System.

They found that the Zoo is now home to more than 750 unique species, and 17,480 different animals.

Every year the public are asked to vote on their favourite new arrival to the zoo, and this year competition was stiffer than ever. Of more than a dozen contenders, the public voted for the following as their top five newborns of the year.

  • Patella the colobos monkey

Patella, a baby colobos monkey was voted in a number five. The black and white baby monkey was born in time for Christmas - on December 14th. Black and white colobus monkeys face threats in the wild from habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade, including being hunted for their fur and as bushmeat. Zookeeper Tracey Lee said:

  • Pip the penguin

Pip the penguin was raised by zookeepers after it became clear she was not getting enough food from her mother.

She has been voted number four by the public, and is one of the top attractions to the penguin beach.

Pip the penguin. Credit: London Zoo.

  • Gernot the Western lowland gorilla

Gernot the Western lowland gorilla was born at the end of November and is already a firm favourite within the gorilla hut and with visitors. Born to 22-year-old Effie, Gernot is being nurtured by the whole group, but in particular older sister Alika. Gorilla keeper Glynn Hennessy said:

Gernot is stroked by his big sister Alika. Credit: London Zoo.

  • African hunting pups

Just missing out on the top spot this year are eleven African hunting dog pups born to mother Brenka. The large litter are the first to be born at ZSL London Zoo in almost 80 years. Zookeeper Gerald Asher said:

A litter of African hunting dogs have been born this year. Credit: London Zoo.

  • Edward the sloth

Edward the two-toed sloth who has won the hearts of the public this year.

Edward was another animal raised by hand - as his mother was unable to take care of him.

Edward the Sloth. Credit: London Zoo.

Edward was named after Edward Scissor Hands due to his two claws on each paw.

Zookeepers have hung a furry teddy from a tree to teach him how to use his muscles to hang, in the absence of his mother.