Earlier the International Species Inventory System was mentioned. This computer-based information system for animals in captivity began in 1973 when Drs. U.S. Seal and D.G. Makey received seed money from The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, the U.S. Department of the Interior, a private grant and other funds to begin the project at the Minnesota Zoo.
The system now includes data on nearly three hundred thousand living animals and 1.4 million of their ancestors belonging to 7500 species. Over 550 institutions in 54 countries are contributing members. Basic biological data such as age, sex, parentage, place of birth and circumstances of death is collected and used in reporting the status of many different kinds of captive populations. Basic laboratory data (blood chemistry and hematology) of normal individuals may assist in disease detection.
The mammal data collection started in 1974 with birds added in 1975. Participating institutions receive directories of the world's mammals and birds as part of the ISIS material. These include all possible species and many subspecies of those groups on record. ISIS has its own web site at http://www.isis.org and further help can be obtained at support@isis.org Their e mail address is isis@isis.org It is the intent of ISIS to provide inbreeding evaluation, and demographic analysis as well as to.assist zoos in setting up their computerized record systems.
The origin of ISIS was engendered by a realization that a spectacular loss of habitat for naturally occurring populations was accelerating. This suggested captive populations needed to be self-sustaining and zoos could not rely on wild caught stock for replacements. Thus it became apparent good biological data on all zoo animals needed to be available to everyone. Having such data also made it easier to find animals for loans as breeders and a standard computerized inventory system helps each zoo with their own collection's management requirements. New keepers should contact the primary ISIS representative.
It is possible that soon captive populations may be all we have left of many species, as is the case with cattle, horses and dromedaries today. For those captive populations, future existence will depend upon careful cooperative management of the population's genetics and demography. This requires good, available biological information covering several generations. ISIS accumulates and disperses this information. To create these records each participating institution uses a two-part form provided by ISIS, and either submits a computer disc or e mails the information to ISIS. ISIS in turn distributes reports on each institution's own collection. A Species Distribution Report on the ISIS website shows all known individuals of every species and also makes special reports available on request.
The
more than 550 zoos, primate centers, animal farms and related facilities
are critical for providing data. A small staff manages and operates
the system out of Minnesota and they are funded by a number of zoo related
organizations that contribute financially to ISIS.