FAQs
General questions:
Species360 is a global non-profit organization that supports species conservation by providing the zoological and botanical communities with software solutions for managing plant and animal data. At Species360, we are dedicated to leveraging technology to support global collaboration and enhance the care and conservation of animals and plants under human care. Our mission is to provide tools and resources that empower zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and conservation organizations to make informed, data-driven decisions that contribute to the well-being and preservation of species worldwide.
The Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) is our flagship software platform used by over 1,300 aquariums, zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and research institutions worldwide. ZIMS is the world’s leading resource for the collection and sharing of data on animals, enabling institutions to manage their collections effectively and contribute valuable information to global conservation initiatives.
Hortis is our botanical recordkeeping software platform used by botanical gardens around the world. With Hortis, our aim is to help botanical institutions keep track of their collections with ease and efficiency, at an affordable cost. We offer a solution to this challenge by providing a cloud-based app, designed to work on any device so data can be captured and analyzed where and when it happens.
Species360 has a network of over 1,300 member institutions in more than 100 countries. By using ZIMS to curate and share data on individuals and groups of animals, as well as aquatic and other habitats, Species360 members maintain the world’s largest set of data on species and enable the exchange of knowledge and insights among professionals in the field.
Membership and Services
To become a member, visit our Membership Page and fill out the contact form, or send us an email at support@species360.org. Our team will get in touch with you regarding the next steps.
Members gain access to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) platform, enabling them to manage their animal data more effectively. Benefits include enhanced animal care, improved conservation efforts, and the ability to collaborate with other institutions worldwide. Through ZIMS, users can manage their husbandry, care and welfare, studbooks and more.
Hortis is a separate subscription fee, which enables us to offer simple and flexible pricing. Choose from a flexible days or full time plan, and pay only for the users you need. Learn more here.
Please visit the Hortis website, where you can request a demo, free trial, or sign up directly on the website. You can also contact us at support@hortis.com.
Absolutely! Please drop us an email at support@species360.org and we will be happy to provide a demo.
Staff working at aquariums, zoos, wildlife refuges and other wildlife institutions worldwide use the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) to record and share data on individual animals, groups, and enclosures, including information on genetics, medical histories, behavior, reproduction, and more.
The data collected by Species360 members is crucial for managing populations in human care and breeding programs. This information aids in understanding animal health, genetics, demographics, and behavior, which in turn contributes to the effective management of threatened and endangered species.
The Species360 Insights program provides subscription-based access to ZIMS data and analytics for scientific research, education, and conservation planning. For privacy and security, Species360 Insights data is aggregated across populations and anonymous to the individual animal and institution. This data helps researchers and conservationists understand trends in populations, genetics, and other critical aspects of species’ well-being. Learn more about subscribing to Species360 Insights (link to page). For data not available in the Insights subscription, researchers can submit a Research Request.
For technical support, please contact our support team at support@species360.org. We offer various resources, including user guides, tutorials, and live support to assist you with everything you need regarding ZIMS.
LearnZIMS is used by animal care teams worldwide to get acclimated to using ZIMS. Make use of test data to get comfortable with using ZIMS, or sign up for a LearnZIMS educational license to train all your staff on using ZIMS. Additionally, we offer a free Keeper and Aquarists course on The Nature Conservancy Conservation Training website. Learn more here.
The Species360 member support team provides unlimited support to not only help you get set up in ZIMS, but to help with any questions you may have. And the Species360 Training team conducts workshops worldwide.
Absolutely! ZIMS is used by institutions of all sizes around the world, whether they care for a few species or many, ZIMS has something for everyone. We offer tiered pricing, ensuring ZIMS is affordable for all.
Conservation and Research
The data collected by Species360 members is crucial for managing captive populations and breeding programs. This information aids in understanding animal health, genetics, demographics, and behavior, which in turn contributes to the effective management of threatened and endangered species.
The Species360 Conservation Science Alliance (CSA) is an open and collaborative network of professionals that conduct research or projects that benefit the zoo, aquarium, botanical, and conservation community. The CSA aims to leverage the vast wealth of data in ZIMS to further our understanding and knowledge of plant and animal species. The Alliance provides a platform for community experts to share knowledge, requests and resources, all with the aim of furthering knowledge on species.
Species360 took over the care of the Species Conservation Toolkit Initiative (SCTI), which embodies our dedication to providing practical solutions for conservation challenges. This initiative develops and disseminates tools and resources to empower conservation practitioners and institutions in their mission to protect species. SCTI provides a software “toolbox” which enables conservationists to assess risks to wildlife, evaluate conservation options, and guide active population management with greater efficiency and realism. SCTI tools are integrated with ZIMS, providing seamless data management for species conservation breeding programs.
Contact us
For more information, you can reach us at support@species360.org, and we will be more than happy to answer your questions. Or send us a message through our Chat option on the website.
Global information
serving conservation.