ISIS impact
European bison breeding
By 1927, the European bison (Bison bonasus) were extinct in the wild – only 48 individuals remained in European zoos.
In 1948, a reserve was established for the species. Since then, more than 250 animals have been released into the wild.
ISIS data continues to be a resource used to monitor the genetic diversity of this species.
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Arabian oryx preservation
In 1964, the Phoenix Zoo had the last seven wild-caught Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) – this is all that remained in the world . One of these animals came from the London Zoo; the rest from the King of Saudi Arabia. |
Zoo breeding and reintroduction into the wild have since brought this population from the brink of extinction.
Today, information in the ISIS system is used to monitor a population of 1,500 Arabian oryx living in zoos and wildlife preserves worldwide. Endangered populations, like the Arabian oryx, require continual monitoring of births, deaths and transfers to ensure genetic diversity of fragile populations.
more ISIS impact stories...
black-footed ferret
California condor
golden lion tamarin
lemur named after ISIS founder
Przewalski's horse
saving the scimitar-horned oryx
Tasmanian devils and spotted-tail quolls
whooping crane