ZIMS and the Future of Wildlife Conservation: How Laos Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is Leading the Way
- By Mary Ellen Amodeo
The Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife (LCTW) is pioneering a new model for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Once a small, family-run zoo, LCTW has evolved into a leading conservation center committed to saving animals from the illegal wildlife trade. Central to their success is the use of Species360’s Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), which enables the team to track each animal’s journey—from intake and treatment to recovery and release. By studying health and behavioral data alongside post-release outcomes, LCTW is improving individual animal welfare and shaping stronger conservation strategies across Southeast Asia.
ZIMS has been a game-changer for us. It allows us to keep detailed records on every rescued animal, track their progress, and ensure they receive the best possible care. But we know there’s still room for improvement—especially in post-release monitoring, which is crucial for long-term conservation.
Melody Bomon, Wildlife Veterinarian, Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife
Deep in the heart of Laos, a dedicated organization is striving to safeguard the nation’s wildlife. The Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife (LCTW) serves as a vital refuge for animals ensnared in the illegal wildlife trade. What began as a modest family-run zoo has since evolved into a comprehensive rescue and rehabilitation center, committed entirely to conservation.
LCTW’s journey has been one of continuous evolution. Originally established in the 1970s as an animal farm, it later became a zoo run by a philanthropic family. However, realizing that traditional zoos had limited conservation impact, the family brought in experts and, in 2018, transitioned LCTW into a full-fledged wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Since then, LCTW has been at the forefront of conservation in Laos, not only rescuing and rehabilitating animals but also actively engaging in education and advocacy. To learn more, we spoke recently with Melody Bomon, wildlife veterinarian at LCTW.
Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Relocation: How LCTW saves animals from trafficking and gives them a second chance
The work at LCTW never stops. Even in the midst of relocating their entire facility—a massive undertaking completed in July of last year—the team continued rescuing animals, visiting schools, and operating their Wildlife Crime Hotline. This vital service allows locals to report animals in distress, supporting government efforts to combat illegal trafficking.
Most of the rescued animals come straight from markets or the pet trade, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. In addition, LCTW collaborates with the Elephant Conservation Center to operate WildMed, which operates mobile veterinary units to reach emergencies faster and expand their work in the field.
Despite its incredible impact, LCTW faces its share of challenges. Financial independence remains a pressing issue, as the organization has long relied on support from the founding family. Additionally, finding and retaining skilled staff, particularly for database management, proves difficult. High turnover among expatriates adds another layer of complexity to an already demanding field.
Harnessing Technology for Wildlife Protection: LCTW uses Species360 ZIMS to record, manage, and improve animal care and conservation
To streamline operations, LCTW uses Species360’s ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System), a comprehensive database that helps track animal records, medical histories, and dietary needs. The ability to reference drug dosages and weight progressions is particularly invaluable, especially for species with little published research – of which wildlife veterinarian Melody Bomon says there are many.
“ZIMS has been a game-changer for us,” says Bomon, a key member of the LCTW team. “It allows us to keep detailed records on every rescued animal, track their progress, and ensure they receive the best possible care. We have anything we need for a government report, enclosure moves, husbandry records. We know how it all connects, such as which animals were in an enclosure together, if we ever detect a disease, We use the medical and husbandry modules, identifiers, weights, biometric measures. It’s just very useful to have all the information in one place.”
Bomon says the team has also begun using ZIMS’ sample storage module and is looking into starting a biobanking resource. The goal is to connect, in particular, with three other Laos conservation centers to collect and store the same samples in the same way. With ZIMS, all samples would be in the same database to advance animal welfare and to enable research and insights.
LCTW Provides Education, Safeguards Wildlife
Educating the Next Generation: Education is another cornerstone of LCTW’s mission. Engaging with both local and international schools, the organization raises awareness about wildlife protection. Their previous natural history museum was a local favorite, offering many Laotians their first glimpse into the country’s rich biodiversity. They also operated an Illegal Wildlife Trade Education Center, providing free guided tours to Lao citizens. With more time and resources, they hope to revive these initiatives.
A Vision for the Future: Through dedication and innovation, LCTW continues to push boundaries, ensuring that each rescued animal has a second chance at life. As the organization grows, it remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard Laos’ wildlife, making a lasting impact on conservation efforts both locally and globally.
Get Involved: What LCTW and Other Rescue Organizations Need Next
When asked what the organization needs next from Species360 and ZIMS, Bomon points to improvements in data-sharing, genetic research, and partnerships in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
“We know there’s still room for improvement—especially in post-release monitoring, which is crucial for long-term conservation,” says Bomon.
In many ways, her wish list mimics that of other Species360 member institutions. Here is a look at some of the highlights:
The Ability to Monitor Animals After Release: Despite the animal care and medical resources gained with ZIMS, post-release monitoring remains a gap in the system. Since rehabilitated animals are no longer under institutional care, their data cannot be officially tracked within ZIMS, limiting long-term research on survival rates and behavioral adaptation.
More Rescue and Rehab Groups Using ZIMS: Data-sharing plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation. Within Laos, conservation groups collaborate closely, exchanging insights on species care and rehabilitation. However, accessing external data often requires negotiation, slowing down progress. Improved data-sharing systems could bridge these gaps, allowing institutions to track rescued animals across facilities and better understand patterns in trafficking and disease outbreaks.
Integration with Genetic Databases: Genetic data, another underutilized resource, could revolutionize conservation efforts. By integrating genetic databases, authorities could trace confiscated animal parts back to their source, aiding law enforcement in dismantling trafficking networks. Additionally, understanding an animal’s genetic background could ensure that individuals are released into appropriate regions, strengthening wild populations.
What’s Next for ZIMS and How Your Organization Can Help: Rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction organizations like the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife are on the front line of wildlife protection and conservation. Species360 is working hard to provide the technology they need most, including new ZIMS features and functionality designed to gather critical welfare and species insights after an animal is released into the wild. To get involved or to learn more about how you can help, email Support@Species360.org.
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