ISIS Impact

Information in the ISIS system helps our members meet increasing conservation responsibilities as natural wildlife habitats disappear or become untenable. Because less than four percent of the Earth’s land surface is protected from development, most zoological populations must be self-sustaining, rather than dependent on wild-caught stock.

ISIS data indicates that about 82 percent of new zoo mammals are now born in captivity, along with more than 60 percent of birds and a majority of reptile species. Unfortunately, zoo populations of many species may be all that we have left.

Some species have been rescued from extinction, bred in zoos and returned to the wild. Already, the zoological community has saved the European bison (Bison bonasus), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and Przewalski's wild horse (Equus przewalski), which were at one time extinct in the wild. In addition, the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) may be extinct in the wild; a reintroduction program is under development. ISIS supports coordinated captive conservation programs in several regions of the world. The last few California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) and black-footed ferrets (Musteles nigripes) were taken entirely into captivity and re-introduced into the wild because the wild populations were unable to survive. In numerous other cases, like the whooping crane (Grus americana), captive propagation in zoos and other facilities are being used to augment threatened wild populations.

 “Without help, our earth could lose as many as one-fifth of all animal species. Our ability to help is dependent on the quality of our data. [ISIS software] will ensure that all those working to defend animals have an essential tool in this fight.”

 -- Dr. William Conway, senior conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society   

More ISIS impact stories:

golden lion tamarin

lemur named after ISIS founder

Tasmanian devils and spotted-tail quolls

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