 | |
| Formation | 1973; 53 years ago (1973) |
|---|---|
| Type | International not-for-profit organization |
| Purpose | Zoo and aquarium animal records database |
| Location |
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Region | Global |
| Method | Membership |
| Website | www |
Formerly called | International Species Information System (ISIS) |
Species360 (formerlyInternational Species Information System, abbreviated asISIS), founded in 1974, is an internationalnon-profit organization that maintains an online database of wild animals under human care.[1] As of 2023, the organization serves more than 1,300zoos,aquariums and zoological associations on six continents and in 102 countries worldwide.[2] The organization provides its members with zoological data collection and managementsoftware called ZIMS—theZoological Information Management System.[citation needed]
ZIMS project was a large global collaboration with 600 people contributing under the leadership ofNate Flesness, Executive Director of Species360 (1979–2009),[3] andHassan Syed, CIO of Species360 (2003–2010).[4] The ZIMS database contains information on 22,000 species, 10 million animals, and 82 million medical records.[2] Members use the basic biologic information (age, sex, parentage, place of birth, circumstance of death, etc.) collected in the system to care for and manage their animal collections (including demographic and genetic management in many cases). It is also used forex situ breeding programs and supporting conservation research and programs.
Since its foundation in 1973, the group has been aNon-Governmental Organization (NGO) pursuing wild animal conservation goals.[citation needed] Species360 works in partnership with zoo associations around the world.[citation needed]
The organization has staff and representatives inAmsterdam and The Randstad (theNetherlands),Barcelona (Spain),Copenhagen andOdense (Denmark),Jerusalem (Israel),Bristol,London, andPaignton (UK), and across theUnited States (Arizona,California,Florida,Illinois,Massachusetts,Michigan,Missouri,Texas,Wisconsin,Washington) with headquarters inMinnesota (US).
Modern zoos and aquariums often are "gene banks" forendangered species. In some cases, species which have become extinct in the wild and have been bred in zoos are eventually returned to the wild. Examples include theblack-footed ferret,California condor,Przewalski's horse,red wolf,Micronesian kingfisher (not yet reintroduced), and theArabian oryx. Individual zoos generally do not have the space to maintain a viable species population (which for many mammals and birds requires 500+ animals in order to maintain sufficient genetic diversity[5]), so maintaining genetic diversity requires coordination between many zoos. Scientific expertise on husbandry, nutrition, veterinary care and so on is spread throughout the zoos and aquaria of the world. Breeding and population management relies on accurate information about animals in all member institutions, especiallypedigree history (parentage) anddemography (births and deaths).
Species360 records are accepted by international regulatory bodies such asCITES. Roughly three-quarters ofAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) members inNorth America are members, and theEuropean Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) requires its members to join. TheWorld Association of Zoos and Aquaria's (WAZA) Conservation Strategy Guidelines strongly recommend that all zoo and aquaria join and participate in data sharing via ZIMS.[6]
A comprehensive information application designed to manage information about animal accessions and dispositions, animals wanted and available, behavioral observations, feed logs, and much more. ZIMS for Inventory and Husbandry also generates information needed for CITES and other permitting and governmental uses. It is designed for use by curators, registrars, keepers and other animal care staff. The ZIMS application is the world's first and only real-time, unified global database for animals in zoos and aquariums.[7]
A web-based record-keeping system that captures records about anesthesia, treatment, diagnostic testing, clinical observations and more. Powerful enough to replace any other third-party medical records application, it also identifies species-specific physiologic reference data and commonly used anesthesia drugs, dosages and potential risks for thousands of wildlife species. ZIMS for Medical is designed for use by veterinarians, vet techs, keepers, and other staff working with a veterinary team. Now featuring Sample Storage to help zoo, aquarium, and other wildlife veterinarians manage biological samples for animal care and species conservation.
A web-based record-keeping system used by studbook keepers at zoos, aquariums, and zoological associations to manage the genetics of small populations. The solution is a global, integrated, real-time studbook database that connects institutional and studbook records, making studbooks more robust and up-to-date, making the studbook keeper’s job easier, and improving species management.
A web-based record-keeping system that combines best-in-class enclosure and animal records management with data-driven insights to marine and freshwater species.
is made available for licensing to educational organizations teaching animal husbandry, zoo, and aquarium science. The educational version of ZIMS provides a teaching platform and practice database through which students can enter and manipulate their own data and access that of other educational institutions. LearnZIMS uses a fictitious dataset to teach application functionality and to demonstrate the types of data that are collected in the global database.
The only cloud-based plant collection software in the world, helping users keep track of their plant collection wherever they are, using a mobile, tablet, or PC. With its contemporary software design, Hortis allows all members of the institution to easily collaborate, share and engage with their plant collection data using garden maps, capturing photos, and analyzing their plant collection data.
The Species360 Conservation Science Alliance works alongside international conservation, research, and academic institutions to answer questions critical to saving species using deep data reserves to drive conservation action. Developers of the firstSpecies Knowledge Index (SKI) that maps available knowledge for the world's tetrapods.
Regional association members include:
In 1973, Ulysses Seal and Dale Makey proposed theInternational Species Information System (ISIS) as an international database to help zoos and aquariums accomplish long-term conservation management goals. It was founded in 1974 with an initial membership of 51 zoos in North America and Europe, and its membership has increased every year since.[7] Grants and endorsements were provided by theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), theAmerican Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) and other zoological associations. The founders also raised development funding from private foundations and theUnited States Department of the Interior. For the first 30 years, theMinnesota Zoo hosted the program on their grounds.[7]
Since 1989, the organisation has been incorporated as a non-profit entity under an internationalBoard of Trustees elected by subscribing member institutions.[7] In 2016, the organization was renamed as Species360 due to ISIS being used as an abbreviation of theIslamic State of Iraq and Syria — an Islamic terrorist organization that attracted global mass media attention.[8]
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutional members | |
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| International | |
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