Species 360’s Zoological Information Management System for Global Animal Care and Conservation

The Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) is essential for zoological institutions that manage animal populations over long timeframes and across international boundaries. Zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and conservation organizations depend on accurate zoological information to support animal care, breeding programmes and conservation outcomes. Our system provides the structure needed to record, manage and analyzes animal data in a consistent and reliable way while enabling responsible data sharing between organizations.

Understanding Zoological Information Management

The Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) is designed to support the complete lifecycle of animal records. This includes biological information, parentage, transfers, breeding history and population data. By bringing this information together within a single management system, your institution can maintain continuity and reduce fragmentation in your records.

Our effective information management ensures that your zoological information remains accessible and usable over time. Many institutions rely on this continuity to support operational decision making, research activities and long-term conservation planning across species and populations.

Centralized Data for Member Institutions

Centralized data management is a defining feature of our system. ZIMS provides a single platform where animal data is recorded using shared standards and formats.

This centralization reduces duplication, improves data accuracy and ensures that your zoological information remains consistent across institutions. Member institutions benefit from access to a broader dataset that reflects collective contributions from organizations worldwide.

Supporting International Data Sharing

Our system for zoological information management supports data sharing while maintaining appropriate controls. Institutions can share animal data securely with other member institutions, supporting collaboration without compromising data integrity. This structured approach to data sharing strengthens conservation programsmes by allowing all member organisations to coordinate breeding decisions and population management using shared information.

Controlled Access to Zoological Information

ZIMS uses role-based permissions to ensure zoological records are accessed responsibly. Institutions can share information with confidence while protecting sensitive data through built-in safeguards.

Population Planning and Species Sustainability

Population planning requires insight into trends across multiple generations. ZIMS, our zoological information management system, allows institutions to analyzes data on population size, birth rates, medical norms and transfers within a shared dataset. This analysis supports long-term planning for species sustainability and helps institutions align their efforts with broader conservation objectives across the zoological community.

Supporting Long-Term Species Viability

By maintaining consistent records over time, we also support long-term species viability and contribute to sustainable conservation outcomes.

The Role of ZIMS in Zoological Information Management

ZIMS is a web-based zoological information management system that supports international collaboration between zoological institutions. It allows member institutions to manage their own animal records while contributing to a shared global dataset.

By supporting coordinated data sharing, ZIMS enables organizsations to participate in conservation breeding and population planning efforts that extend beyond individual institutions. This shared approach improves the quality and scope of zoological information available to the global conservation community.

Secure Management of Animal Data

ZIMS was built with security as a core requirement for your zoological data. Access controls and data governance frameworks protect animal data while keeping it available for authorised use.

Supporting Conservation Breeding Programs

Conservation breeding programs rely on accurate, long-term information management. ZIMS maintains detailed animal records covering ancestry, reproductive history and species biology within a shared zoological information management system. These records support informed breeding recommendations and help institutions actively manage genetic diversity across animal populations. By contributing to shared datasets, organizations use ZIMS to coordinate conservation breeding efforts at regional and international levels.

Web-Based Access to Zoological Information

ZIMS provides secure, web-based access to animal records through a shared zoological data platform, allowing institutions to work from different locations. This accessibility supports collaboration between organisations operating across regions and time zones. Web-based access also supports continuity in animal record management, ensuring zoological information remains available to staff, researchers and conservation partners when needed.

Analyzing Data for Population Management

ZIMS allows institutions to analyzes data within our shared platform to support evidence-based population management. Institutions can assess trends and risks across animal populations and adjust breeding programs accordingly.

Standardization of
Zoological Records

Standardization ensures that zoological information can be shared and interpreted consistently across institutions. With ZIMS, you can apply shared terminology, formats and structures to animal records.

Our standardized records support collaboration, research and professional training by enabling our member institutions to work with comparable data across species and populations.

Supporting Research and Training

Accurate zoological information supports research and professional development across the zoological sector. ZIMS provides access to structured animal data that supports biological research and institutional training programmes.

Preserving Historical Animal Records

Historical records preserved within our system support long-term studies of species biology, breeding success and population trends. These records contribute to ongoing conservation research.

Data Analysis and Reporting for Zoological Organizations

We also support reporting and analysis for internal planning and external conservation programmes. Institutions can analyse data related to animal movements, breeding outcomes and population demographics.

Structured reporting supports transparency and accountability while contributing to shared conservation knowledge across all organisations.

Reporting Across International Organisations

Many conservation initiatives require coordinated reporting across institutions. Our platform simplifies this process by providing access to verified and consistent zoological information.

Connecting Zoos, Aquariums and Conservation Organizations

Our zoological information management system connects zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and conservation organizations through shared information infrastructure. This connectivity supports collaboration and coordinated conservation efforts.

By participating in a shared system, institutions contribute to a global network focused on species conservation and population sustainability.

Information Management and Professional Standards

Accurate information management supports professional and ethical standards within zoological organisations. As such, we ensure that our animal records are complete, traceable and maintained according to recognised practices.

This approach supports institutional accountability and long-term conservation credibility.

Long-Term Value of Our Zoological Information Management Platform

The long-term value of  ZIMS lies in its ability to support conservation work over decades. Records maintained today inform future breeding decisions, research initiatives and population management strategies.

By maintaining consistent and reliable zoological information, institutions contribute to sustainable conservation outcomes that extend beyond individual organisations.

Supporting Future Conservation Efforts

Future conservation programmes depend on access to historical and current animal data. ZIMS ensures that this knowledge is preserved and accessible to future generations of conservation professionals.

Why Species360 is the Best Platform for Global Zoological Information Management

Species360 supports a collaborative approach to zoological information management by providing ZIMS, a platform that standardizses data, supports collaboration and strengthens conservation breeding and research.

Through shared information, training and international cooperation, Species360 enables member institutions to contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts.

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What members say
about ZIMS

I love the Reproductive Dashboard in ZIMS. It shows the age that individuals first reproduce, and the span of time that they remain able to breed. I can pore over all of the data and figure out who bred first. ZIMS gives me that.
Erica Royer, Aviculturist and Red Siskin Consortium Coordinator and Studbook Keeper, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute logo
If a species is held in many places and has historical records, one can get an accurate longevity estimate for individuals in human care, such as in the ZIMS Survival, Reproduction, and Growth Reports. It is rare to have this level of insight to marine species.
Ana Ferreira, Conservation and Science Officer, Oceanário de Lisboa (Portugal)
Oceanário de Lisboa logo
To say the life history information available from zoos and aquariums via ZIMS as potentially important is an understatement.
James R. Carey, distinguished professor of entomology at the University of California (UC), Davis, and senior scholar at the Center for the Economics and Demography of Aging at UC Berkeley
Berkeley University of California logo
I can’t say enough about Daily Activity, it was a huge life changer for us. I think animal welfare improves because we can make more informed decisions. We are constantly looking at the big picture, not just each day.
Leslie Silvia, Assistant Registrar, John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo logo
When a coral comes in as a patient, each will have a ZIMS medical record, which includes a history of any pathologies sent out and the histopathology report findings. Once the medical team clears them, it may be another year or two until we see them again. Their treatment history and records are invaluable ways we track their health and our interventions.

Lana Krol, DVM, Veterinarian, Manager of Animal Health, Steinhart Aquarium, and Chair, Veterinary Advisors Group, Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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Learn more about our
ZIMS modules and features
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Contact us for more information

Contact us to learn more about how ZIMS can benefit your organization. Our team is here to provide you with all the information you need to get started.