Al Ain Zoo Hosts Zoological Information Management System Software Training

New international zoo software designed to provide inventory management solutions for tracking animal collections

As a key member of the Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZAA) and the International Species Information System (ISIS.ORG), Al Ain Zoo hosted the first regional Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) software training workshop on the 14th and 15th October 2014.

More than 35 individuals from 13 zoo and aquarium facilities attended the workshop training, setting a new record for participants in the region. Over the course of two days, participants were given the opportunity to gain knowledge on the ZIMS software which is currently being used by 912 zoos, aquariums and conservation organisations in over 85 countries.

ZIMS is a system setting the bench mark standard for animal records management in the international zoo community, enabling animal management to the highest international standards. The system can track a wide range of information, such as the heritage, health and history of each animal, to providing an overview of all the animals of a particular species in the collection. Such information enables zoos to give the best care for their animals and better plan the future of their animal collections, such as ensuring genetic diversity of animals for a healthy population.

With over 3,000,000 animals from 10,000 species in zoos around the world, it is only via ZIMS that zoos will be able to identify, track and share captive animal records.

Attendees covered topics including veterinary records, captive management, conservation research, captive breeding and reproduction. The workshop also showcased the variety and quality of activities being carried out in zoos, aquariums and private collections across Arabia, facilitating knowledge-sharing across the region.

H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of Al Ain Zoo, said:

“Al Ain Zoo is very proud to be hosting the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) software training workshop. This workshop with no doubt further reflects our commitment to raise the standards of animal care and management for zoos and aquariums. Al Ain Zoo is constantly working with its regional partners to demonstrate the region’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the education of communities who visit our zoos and aquariums every day.”

Al Ain Zoo is a member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquaria (WAZA) and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated conservation projects, working with other like-minded organisations such as Durrell Wildlife, Jersey, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund.

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Oct 20, 2014

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