WAZA’s launch of the new International Studbook Framework

At the end of May, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums launched their new international Studbook (ISB) Framework at the joint TAG meeting at Taipei Zoo.

Developed for more than year by taskforce encompassing international studbook coordinators and population management experts, the framework establishes a more coordinated and transparent approach to management of international studbooks.

Studbooks are the most important tool in scientifically managing ex situ populations of wild animals, ensuring their sufficient size, demographic stability and high level of genetic diversity.

Studbook keepers maintain the pedigree and demographic history of a specifically defined taxon such as the genus, species, sub-species or other specific captive population.

The revised framework reflects a simple but ambitious goal: enabling the global zoo and aquarium community to work together to create a more coordinated and effective system to work together and support regional and global species’ goals. 

The framework represents an important step forward in strengthening international collaboration and ensuring that ex situ population data can be used more effectively to support regional programme roles and global population management goals.

The framework recognises that, within the current conservation landscape with increasing threats on wildlife, and in alignment with the UN Convention of Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD KM GBF), a different and more integrative approach to conservation is required.

International Studbooks are maintained under the auspices of WAZA and overseen by the Committee for Population Management (CPM). They represent the highest level of global population monitoring and management and provide a vital service to the zoo and aquarium community. 

Today, there are more than 130 active WAZA International Studbooks covering over 140 species and subspecies. 

Implementation of the new Framework will take place over time in collaboration with International Studbook Coordinators and other partners. For more information on the Framework, please read this.