UPDATED: International and regional associations complete ZIMS for Studbooks migrations
Updated 29 December 2020: Studbook keepers for international and regional zoo and aquarium associations collaborated with Species360 member support in 2020 to complete the migration of nearly 100 percent of their studbooks to ZIMS for Studbooks.
As a global community, we are now managing nearly 1,400 studbooks using ZIMS for Studbooks. The transition to an integrated, secure, standardized solution helps to improve access to information that is critical to managing populations, their genetics and welfare, now and in the future.
We really appreciate the response from studbook keepers throughout this process. By migrating the studbooks for their populations, they are establishing a resource that delivers a more holistic, real-time view of their populations across participating zoos and aquariums. In particular, updates to individual animals in ZIMS for Husbandry, such as changes, births, and deaths, are reflected in the studbook.
This data, in turn, helps the studbook keeper, population managers, taxon advisory groups (TAGs), and Species Survival Program (SSP) leaders to advocate for their species, and to make more informed decisions impacting the genetic diversity and health of populations.
New! ZIMS for Studbooks supports Institutional Studbooks. In response to your requests, and as association studbook migrations near completion, Species360 has released new functionality that enables members to manage their institutional studbooks using ZIMS for Studbooks.
Thanks to all of the regional association partners that continue to support this work. Your feedback has been encouraging and has helped us to prioritize and complete new features and functionality throughout the year — from a census graphing tool to the ability to move studbooks between associations.
Among the comments is one from Christian Olaciregui, Chair of the Conservation Committee for the Association of Latin America Zoos and Aquariums (ALPZA) and Director of Biology & Conservation at Barranquilla Zoo. Christian manages Colombia studbooks for the Blue-billed curassow and the White-footed tamarin, and is helping to establish ALPZA’s population management program.
“I have found ZIMS for Studbooks to function perfectly, and the continuous improvements make it even better. Species360 has one of the best support systems and quickest replies I have experienced. The few issues I have found have been solved accurately and rapidly.”
See all of the new functionality released in ZIMS for Studbooks (PDF/download)
| Association | Studbooks | Percent Complete |
| WAZA* | 140 | 78% |
| AZA | 527 | 96% |
| EAZA | 545 | 92% |
| ZAA | 124 | 85% |
| PAAZA | 21 | 100% |
| ZAAUS | 8 | 100% |
| JAZA | 87 | 90% |
| AZAB | 25 | 76% |
| WPC | 1 | 100% |
We continue the good work with our partners, institutional members, and your studbook keepers! For more information about migrating your international, association, or institutional studbook to ZIMS for Studbooks, contact Species360 Member Support at Support@Species360.org
For more information on new ZIMS for Studbooks functionality, check out the following resources:
Watch the video presentation to see what’s new in ZIMS for Studbooks, with Katelyn Mucha, ZIMS for Studbooks Product Owner, Species360. (October 2020)
Read and/or download a copy of the latest summary of new features and functionality completed in 2020 and now included in ZIMS for Studbooks! (PDF)
