Toledo Zoo Uses Technology To Preserve Endagered Wildlife
The Toledo Zoo has joined more than 300 zoos and aquariums around the world in contributing data to – and learning from – the largest online global knowledgebase of zoological information ever assembled. Through the International Species Information System (ISIS), the Zoo now contributes to a web-based, global database of information on more than 2.6 million animals living in human care through the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) application.
“The Toledo Zoo recognizes the importance of accurately recording and preserving data about its animals, many of whom are endangered in the wild,” Jeff Sailer, the Zoo’s executive director, said. “Being able to easily share this information with colleagues worldwide improves our collective work to ensure these species’ survival.”
Zoos and aquariums have already become leaders in the effort to breed endangered animals and to educate an estimated 700 million visitors each year about the magnificent and fragile connections among humans, wildlife and environments. Through zoos and aquariums the European bison (Bison bonasus), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and Przewalski's wild horse (Equus przewalski) have been rescued from extinction, and programs are in place to help many more vulnerable species.
A member of ISIS since its founding in 1974, the Toledo Zoo is among the first of more than 800 ISIS member institutions to use the ZIMS application to contribute basic biologic, collection management, husbandry, and health and disease information on wild animals in human care to this growing knowlegebase. The Toledo Zoo is proud to be a leader in this worldwide effort.
“ISIS represents an unprecedented effort to unite the global wildlife conservation community,” David Field, Zoological Director of the Zoological Society of London and ISIS Board Chair, said. “Brought together by common goals and needs, many ISIS members are among the world’s leaders in protecting and nurturing animals in human care, and in our natural environment.”
The Toledo Zoo is committed to inspiring others to join in caring for animals and conserving the natural world. As part of that mission, The Toledo Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a leader in global wildlife conservation. AZA member institutions are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and a better future for all living things.
ISIS – the International Species Information System – is a global collaboration of more than 800 zoological institutions in more than 80 countries who have come together to strengthen our knowledge about animals in human care – and harnessing this knowledge to save the world’s vulnerable populations. ISIS software has long been recognized as the world-standard best practice for zoological record-keeping by international regulatory bodies like CITES. The latest ZIMS application is an evolution of previous ISIS software; it is comprehensive, integrated, real-time and created specifically for its members’ uses. www.isis.org.
Press Release Contact Name: Kandace York
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Toledo Zoo
Organization Address: Toledo, OH