Conservation: Amphibian Ark’s range state partners use Species360 ZIMS to record and share data on endangered species of amphibians
- By Mary Ellen Amodeo
Our partnership with Species360 will help scientists at these institutions to gather and analyse critical data on local populations, and to ensure their data can be used to benefit global conservation efforts on behalf of these species.
Jonathan Wilcken, Executive Director, Amphibian Ark.
Amphibian Ark (AArk) and Species360 are working together to help secure a future for amphibian species at imminent risk of extinction. Through the partnership, all AArk recommended species rescue programmes will use the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) to record and share data on animal care, medical treatment, lifecycle traits, breeding success, and more.
AArk works with range state partners around the world, helping establish ex situ programmes for the most at-risk species of amphibians. These species rescue programmes are designed for reintroduction, aiming to re-establish wild populations that will otherwise disappear.
Sound data and scientific management is crucial for the success of these species rescue programmes. By using Species360’s ZIMS, AArk and its range station partners will ensure the data on individuals, groups, and populations is standardised, secured and made accessible now and in the future. The data will help guide management of these critical populations, and also be able to be combined and analyzed with data from like-minded conservation programs around the world.
“Many of AArk’s partner institutions are local wildlife organisations outside the global zoo and aquarium community. Our partnership with Species360 will help conservationists at these institutions to gather and analyse critical data on local populations, and to ensure their data can be used to benefit global conservation efforts on behalf of these species,” said Jonathan Wilcken, Executive Director, Amphibian Ark.
Amphibian Ark was established by three principle partners: the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG), and the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) to carry out the ex situ recommendations of its Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. More than 40% of the world’s amphibian species are currently on a path to extinction. Amphibian Ark’s role is to help halt these extinctions by securing a future for those species that can’t be safeguarded in nature in time. Ex situ management is the only way to achieve this.
Nonprofit Species360’s mission is to facilitate international collaboration in recording and sharing information used to improve the care and conservation of species. The organization celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
