Celebrating 8 Years of ZIMS for Studbooks: A Global Milestone in Species Conservation

ZIMS for Studbooks now supports 1,676 studbooks from around the world, spanning a vast array of species and overseen by more than 21 associations and wildlife organizations. These range from major associations like EAZA and AZA, which manage hundreds of studbooks, to specialized conservation efforts like the Conservation Shore Plover Recovery Program, which oversees a single studbook for the endangered Hinornis novaeseelandiae. Across the globe, institutions including the Indonesian Zoos and Aquariums Association (PKSBI) manage studbooks for iconic species like the Sumatran tiger. Other contributors, such as WPC, FFR, FAZA, C2S2, and ACOPAZOA, each manage unique, often critical, studbooks as part of this global network.

Among the many species tracked in ZIMS, seven are listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. These studbooks serve as vital records for species recovery and represent the high stakes and urgent need for global data sharing in conservation. An excellent example is the Guam kingfisher, which has been reintroduced to native habitats thanks to decades of collaboration involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, Zoological Society of London, The Nature Conservancy, Sedgwick County Zoo, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Read more about this fascinating species and all that goes into this effort here.

Since its inception, ZIMS for Studbooks has provided a secure, centralized platform that connects institutions, reduces duplication, and improves data accessibility. Most importantly, it empowers conservation professionals to manage populations more effectively and sustainably.

Now, as the program enters its ninth year, Species360 and its member institutions celebrate not only how far they’ve come, but also the impact of data-driven collaboration in saving species from extinction.

Seamless Integration with PMx Creates Powerful Combination

ZIMS for Studbooks integrates directly with PMx, the powerful suite for demographic and genetic analysis that was developed by the Species Conservation Toolkit Initiative (SCTI). Bringing these organizations together has created exciting new opportunities to take new steps in our community’s commitment to supporting and managing populations. For example, the integration of these solutions allows studbook keepers to evaluate genetic diversity, develop sustainable breeding plans, and conduct population viability analyses with precision.

A Truly Global Data Exchange

Through ZIMS, conservation organizations around the world can collaborate in real-time, supporting regional and international breeding programs and ensuring informed decisions across institutions. This networked approach accelerates conservation progress and avoids duplication of efforts. In fact, ZIMS for Stubooks and PMx are the tools recommended by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums to support its WAZA 2027 Population Management Goal.  of

Part of the Broader Species360 Ecosystem

Data in ZIMS for Studbooks contributes to a global knowledge base shared among 1,300+ Species360 members. This vast repository informs veterinary care, husbandry, welfare, and population planning, and fuels research that supports the long-term survival of species in human care and in the wild.

Training and Support Through LearnZIMS

With unlimited training and support, institutions can onboard new staff and refine best practices using LearnZIMS, a dedicated learning environment featuring sandboxed test data. It’s a key component in ensuring teams are confident and capable in managing studbooks with accuracy and care.