London cat lovers upload pet data to create an interactive map for the zoo

The London zoo is taking stock of an animal you don't often find behind bars, launching what it says is the first interactive map of the capital's domestic cats.

The zoo said yesterday that its interface would allow Londoners to upload scientific survey-style photos, descriptions and locations of their cats - creating a capital-wide census of felines.

The map may not ultimately have much in the way of scientific value, but it could prove popular among Britain's cat owners.

Even ahead of its official launch, the site was filling up with dozens of felines, along with tongue-in-cheek field notes.

Among the early entrants was Ollie, a ginger cat from north London who "likes fish and octopus toy [but] dislikes biscuits." Another was Dorothy, a black tabby from south London who "has intimacy issues". Quality control doesn't appear to be a strong suit of the site.

At least one person uploaded a picture of a "Nyancat" the name given by internet pranksters to the animated, space-dwelling cat with the body of a pop tart.

But other listings appeared legitimate and the map was already yielding its first figures.

Nearly half of Britain's domestic cat population are black or grey, according to the map, and roughly one-sixth are ginger or rust-coloured.

Officials with the Zoological Society of London said they were launching the map to mark the arrival of two Sumatran tigers - Jae Jae and Melati - at the zoo.

They add that while the map is aimed at Londoners, cat fans from outside the city - even outside the country - can also upload their pets' photos to the system.