ISIS: a computerised record system for the management of wild animals in captivity

Ex situ breeding programs benefit from science‐based cooperative management

“…This shift was accompanied by the organization of two initial World Conferences on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity, which focused first on the husbandry associated with ex situ breeding then evolved to explore how to better facilitate and manage breeding as it became more successful (Brambell, 1977). The content of the second of these World Conferences is documented in the January 1977 issue of International Zoo Yearbook, where over 60 original articles covered an array of topics that included the demographic (Flesness, 1977) and genetic (Benirschke, 1977) management of ex situ populations, as well as the record systems needed to support such management (Seal et al, 1977). The first notable numbers of studbooks, which serve as necessary data sources for management, also were established in the 1970s, which facilitated emerging research that began to suggest inbreeding would negatively impact the long‐term viability of zoo‐based breeding programs (Ralls et al, 1979).…”

The growing commercialism of zoos and aquariums

“…Federal monies have been allocated to purchase critical habitat (see the article by Joseph Cordes and Burton Weisbrod in this issue), but the public funds that have been made available to zoos and aquariums have come largely from local governments. erized database, the International Species Inventory System (ISIS), that tracks the animal collections of the major institutions [Seal, 1976]. In short, once zoos and aquariums renewed their dedication to this mission, modern technology was brought to bear in a short amount of time.…”

The Marine Mammal Inventory Report: Independent Verification of a Captive Marine Mammal Database

“…Pedigrees, including the parentage of each individual, will be necessary for complete captive databases (U.S. Seal, Chairman, Captive Breeding Specialist Group, IUCN, personal communication, 1991). While the International Species Information System' (ISIS: see Seal et al 1974) maintains comparable data on these marine mammal species (as well as on terrestrial mammals and birds) in the form of partial studbooks, this database may not be as extensive as the MMIR. Hence, utilization of the strengths of both sources may be of benefit.…”