About ISIS

ISIS provides its members with the world standard zoological data collection and sharing software, used by 825 zoos and aquariums in 76 countries. ISIS is the global database for the zoological community, containing information on 2 million animals – almost 15,000 taxa/10,000 species. ISIS members use the basic biologic information (age, sex, parentage, place of birth, circumstance of death, etc.) collected in the ISIS system to manage genetic and demographic programs for their animal collections.

Today, zoos and aquariums are leaders in the effort to breed endangered animals. Aquariums and zoos and are the “gene bank” of the web of life.  Some species have been rescued from extinction, bred in zoos and returned to the wild, for example, the Black Footed Ferret, Californian Condor, Przewalski’s Horse, Red Wolf, Micronesian kingfisher, Arabian Oryx. This work takes a great deal of scientific expertise, genetic research, coordination, cooperation - and all of this relies on collecting and exchanging accurate animal data.  Breeding and population management rely on knowing information about animals across the region, especially pedigree history and demography (births and deaths). Accurate record keeping is essential for managing endangered species in a collection or across several collections. ISIS software has long been recognized as the world standard best practice for zoological record keeping.

ISIS records are accepted and preferred by international regulatory bodies like CITES.  Several Regional Associations seek ISIS membership for their members:  Europe: EAZA requires ISIS membership; Australasia: 100% of ARAZPA institutions with exotic animals are ISIS members; USA:  98% of AZA institutions are ISIS members. ISIS works in partnership with these regional Zoo Associations around the world. Currently ISIS has staff and reps in Amsterdam (EAZA), and Sydney (ARAZPA), and headquarters in Minnesota (AZA), and we are building similar relationships in South America, Japan and India. Fourteen languages are spoken in the ISIS office. 

History

ISIS was founded in 1973 when Drs. Ulysses Seal and Dale Makey proposed the idea of an international database to help zoos and aquariums accomplish long-term conservation management goals. At that time, 51 zoos in North America and Europe responded to the invitation to participate in this network.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) and other zoological associations provided grants and endorsements for ISIS. In addition, the doctors raised development funding from private foundations and the United States Department of Interior. The Minnesota Zoological Garden hosted the program for 15 years.

Since 1989, ISIS has been incorporated as a non-profit entity under an international Board of Trustees elected by subscribing member institutions. ISIS has sustained annual membership growth over the last 30 years. Today, ISIS members number 735 institutions in 74 countries on six continents.

ISIS also serves as a center for cooperative development of zoological software for in-facility use. This allows software development costs to be spread across more institutions – making professional software and professional-level support available to all participants at a reasonable cost.

ISIS vision, mission, values and beliefs

ISIS Board of Trustees

ISIS Board bylaws