ZIMS in Research: Are Zoo and Aquarium Populations Becoming Smaller and Less Diverse? AZA Researchers Use ZIMS Data to Uncover Trends

Early findings from a larger study now underway at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) show that the diversity of species and size of populations being managed by zoos and aquariums is on the decline.

During her presentation last month at the Species360 Conservation Science Alliance Research Symposium, Dr. Megan Brown, Director of Population Management Strategy for AZA, shed new light on this trend and what is influencing it.

“Over the past 50 years, much has improved in all aspects of animal care and management in ex situ environments. However, while the community’s goal is to manage as many species as possible in sustainable populations, preliminary findings from our research shows that we are actually managing fewer species overall,” said Dr. Brown.

The study by AZA researchers uses data recorded and shared by zoos and aquariums using the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) to better understand trends in population management as well as what that might mean for animal welfare and species conservation.

“None of this research would be possible without the data provided by zoos and aquariums in the Species360 (ZIMS) database. The collaborative nature of data provided by each institution using ZIMS really gives us a very strong picture of the zoo and aquarium community as a whole,” said Dr. Brown.

The AZA researchers are analyzing animal holding data from the period of 1970 to 2020 for seven orders of mammalian species within AZA-accredited facilities. Among the influences in species holdings, Dr. Brown says, researchers are considering the advent of coordinated breeding programs (Species Survival Plans® in AZA), initiation of formalized population and reproductive management, the trend towards more naturalistic exhibits, and relevant changes in the regulatory environment.

Findings are expected to help shape future population management

Early findings underscore the potential of this research to help inform future population management decisions throughout the zoo and aquarium community. Among those findings, research shows that:

• There is a steep decline in species diversity within the populations managed by zoos and aquariums. Of the mammalian species studied, 83 are no longer represented.
• There is a decrease in the number of individual animals, as the number of individual animals across these species has decreased to 25,000 from 29,000.
• For some species and orders, there are larger, more sustainable populations.

Dr. Brown used the order Xenarthra as an example of what can be determined from the study. While it might be expected that this order would be less likely to increase due to nocturnal behavior, they in fact have increased – possibly due to their popularity in ambassador programs and the success of collaborative breeding programs.

By studying trends of past species’ diversity and what influences which species are commonly exhibited, this research will allow for more informed and effective collection planning and population management across the zoo and aquarium community. 

“The depth and magnitude of data that we are able to access through ZIMS is truly unique and does not exist anywhere else,” said Dr. Brown.

 “We look forward to the completion of this extensive research from AZA, and its findings for the global zoo and aquarium and conservation community,” said Dr. Sandy Trautwein, Director of Conservation and Science, Species360. 

Watch the full Species360 Conservation Science Alliance Research Symposium.