Get the best Animal Data for Research and Conservation
ZIMS is a global platform that aggregates standardized animal records contributed by zoos, aquariums, and wildlife organizations worldwide.
These records support operational animal care at member institutions while also enabling aggregated research and analytics through programs such as Species360 Insights.
The insights available through ZIMS transform structured animal records into aggregated, research-ready information that supports conservation science and evidence-based decision-making across the global zoological community.
As part of the broader Species360 ecosystem, ZIMS supports both institutional animal management and the generation of aggregated insights used by veterinarians, researchers, and conservation professionals.
Built on Standardized
Global Data
Research depends on consistency.
ZIMS aggregates standardized records contributed by more than 1,200 institutions across 100+ countries. Because these institutions use shared data standards within ZIMS, the resulting dataset maintains:
- Consistent terminology
- Harmonized data structures
- Comparable demographic fields
- Aligned species identifiers
- Standardized life-history formats
This level of standardization allows researchers and professionals working with aggregated ZIMS data to analyze information across institutions without spending months reconciling incompatible formats.
It reduces fragmentation.
It increases reliability.
It strengthens confidence in comparative analysis.
Population-Level Insight from Aggregated ZIMS Data
ZIMS primarily supports institutional management of animals in human care, including husbandry, veterinary records, and population management. Through the Species360 Insights program, aggregated and anonymized ZIMS data can also be used for broader analysis across facilities and regions. These aggregated insights support questions such as: How are global managed populations trending over time? What are long-term survival rates across institutions? How does reproductive success vary by region or management strategy? What demographic patterns emerge over decades? Operational systems within ZIMS support daily animal care, while the Insights program provides access to aggregated species-level information used for research and analysis.
Longitudinal Depth for Meaningful Analysis
Short-term snapshots rarely provide meaningful conservation insight. Because ZIMS has been used by institutions for decades, the aggregated data accessible through programs like Species360 Insights contains extensive historical records for many species managed in human care. Researchers and analysts can examine trends such as: Lifespan patterns Multi-generational lineage data Reproductive outcomes over time Transfers between institutions Mortality and survivorship patterns Longitudinal continuity enables deeper evaluation of species sustainability and long-term management strategies. This historical perspective supports evidence-based conservation planning.
A Research Ecosystem Built Around ZIMS Data
The Species360 ecosystem integrates operational animal records with aggregated insights and research collaboration. Within this ecosystem: ZIMS supports institutional animal care and recordkeeping Species360 Insights provides access to aggregated species-level data and analytics Research Requests enable researchers to access specialized datasets derived from ZIMS Together, these components create a continuous cycle: Institutions record animal data in ZIMS Standardized records contribute to a global dataset Aggregated data supports research and analysis Research findings inform improved animal care and conservation strategies This shared infrastructure strengthens both animal wellbeing and conservation outcomes worldwide.
Supporting Species Sustainability Analysis
Sustainable population management requires visibility across institutions. No single zoo or aquarium holds enough individuals to understand global trends alone. Through aggregated data drawn from ZIMS and accessed via the Species360 Insights program, researchers and institutions can evaluate: Demographic modeling Population viability analysis Age structure assessments Reproductive output tracking Genetic diversity indicators Shared access to aggregated data strengthens coordinated breeding programs and regional management strategies. It helps ensure conservation decisions rely on comprehensive global datasets rather than isolated institutional records.
Accessing Species Data for Research
Species360 supports research through multiple structured access pathways. Aggregated insights are available through the Species360 Insights subscription program, which provides access to analytics tools and species-level reporting derived from ZIMS data. Researchers seeking more specialized datasets can also submit a Species360 Research Request through the Conservation Science Alliance. Through this process, the Species360 Science Team can help researchers access appropriate datasets extracted, cleaned, aggregated, and anonymized from ZIMS while ensuring responsible data governance and protection of member institutions. Research Requests are reviewed and approved by the Species360 Board of Trustees to ensure responsible use of the data.
Longitudinal Depth for Meaningful Analysis
Short-term snapshots rarely provide meaningful conservation insight.
Because ZIMS has been used by institutions for decades, the aggregated data accessible through programs like Species360 Insights contains extensive historical records for many species managed in human care.
Researchers and analysts can examine trends such as:
Lifespan patterns
- Multi-generational lineage data
- Reproductive outcomes over time
- Transfers between institutions
- Mortality and survivorship patterns
Longitudinal continuity enables deeper evaluation of species sustainability and long-term management strategies.
This historical perspective supports evidence-based conservation planning.
A Research Ecosystem Built Around ZIMS Data
The Species360 ecosystem integrates operational animal records with aggregated insights and research collaboration. Within this ecosystem: ZIMS supports institutional animal care and recordkeeping Species360 Insights provides access to aggregated species-level data and analytics Research Requests enable researchers to access specialized datasets derived from ZIMS Together, these components create a continuous cycle: Institutions record animal data in ZIMS Standardized records contribute to a global dataset Aggregated data supports research and analysis Research findings inform improved animal care and conservation strategies This shared infrastructure strengthens both animal wellbeing and conservation outcomes worldwide.
Accessing Species Data for Research
Species360 supports research through multiple structured access pathways. Aggregated insights are available through the Species360 Insights subscription program, which provides access to analytics tools and species-level reporting derived from ZIMS data. Researchers seeking more specialized datasets can also submit a Species360 Research Request through the Conservation Science Alliance. Through this process, the Species360 Science Team can help researchers access appropriate datasets extracted, cleaned, aggregated, and anonymized from ZIMS while ensuring responsible data governance and protection of member institutions. Research Requests are reviewed and approved by the Species360 Board of Trustees to ensure responsible use of the data.
Enabling Research Collaboration Across Borders
Zoological research benefits from shared infrastructure.
ZIMS provides a global data foundation that allows researchers, veterinarians, conservation biologists, and institutions to collaborate more effectively.
The aggregated data accessible through the Insights program supports:
- Multi-institution research studies
- Cross-regional comparisons
- Academic collaborations
- Conservation program evaluation
- Data-informed policy discussions
Instead of reconciling fragmented data sources, researchers can work with standardized datasets generated from the ZIMS platform.
This shared infrastructure strengthens scientific rigor and supports collaborative conservation research.
Maintaining Clear Separation Between Operations and Research
ZIMS serves multiple purposes within the Species360 ecosystem.
At the institutional level, ZIMS supports operational recordkeeping, including:
- Animal husbandry management
- Veterinary medical records
- Studbooks and pedigree tracking
- Population management
At the same time, aggregated and anonymized data from ZIMS supports research and analysis through programs such as Species360 Insights and approved Research Requests.
Maintaining this structure allows institutions to manage operational workflows while also contributing to global scientific knowledge.
Supporting Evidence-Based Conservation Strategy
Effective conservation planning requires measurable indicators.
Aggregated ZIMS data accessible through the Insights program helps researchers and conservation professionals:
- Monitor population trends
- Track reproductive success rates
- Evaluate long-term sustainability indicators
- Assess management outcomes across institutions
These insights inform:
- Regional Species Survival Plans
- International breeding programs
- Conservation policy development
- Institutional planning decisions
Evidence-based conservation depends on structured, comparable, and longitudinal data.
ZIMS provides the foundation for this work.
Standardization as a Research Multiplier
Data standardization significantly increases the value of shared animal records.
Because participating institutions follow shared species codes, taxonomic references, and structured data fields within ZIMS, aggregated datasets can support large-scale comparative analysis.
Researchers can:
- Compare species populations across continents
- Evaluate management strategies objectively
- Conduct longitudinal demographic studies
- Develop repeatable research methodologies
Standardization enables scale.
Scale enables stronger scientific conclusions.
Those conclusions support improved conservation outcomes.
Focused on Data Integrity, Insight, and Long-Term Impact
Species360’s global dataset exists to support meaningful understanding of managed wildlife populations.
The ZIMS platform and its associated research programs prioritize:
- Data integrity
- Structural consistency
- Longitudinal comparability
- Analytical depth
- Responsible data governance
By combining standardized global records with structured research access through Insights and Research Requests, Species360 enables researchers and conservation professionals to work with one of the most comprehensive datasets on animals in human care.