Within a view field (115), a camera (110) records image data (Dg) representing a body portion of an animal (A). A reader unit (120) registers identity data (D) from a data carrier (150) on the animal (A) and a data processor (130) associates the recorded image data (Dg) with the registered identity data (D). A passageway (140) only allows a single animal (A) at the time within the camera's view field (115). The camera (110) is arranged so that the view field (115) covers an identification zone (Z) within the passageway (140). To reduce the risk that the reader unit (120) interferes with other nearby equipment, the data processor (130) detects the presence of any animal (A) within the view field (115) of the camera (110) based on the recorded image data (Dg), and activates the reader unit (120) if and only if an animal (A) is detected within the identification zone (Z).(Fig. 1)
