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.