​Contact ISIS Member Services with questions. Phone: +1 651-447-5530 

FIND ANIMALS in ISIS institutions

Did you know?
If you printed out all the specimen records in the ISIS global database, it would take about 11,000 reams of paper -- and the pile of papers would equal an 18-story building.

zoos and aquariums achieve their missions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that their list of more than 16,000 threatened species may be a gross underestimate because less than 3% of the world’s described species have been assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Only 1.9 million species have been described out of an estimated 13-14 million species that exist.
Today, the ISIS database contains pooled knowledge on more than 2.6 million animals
 more than 10,000 species.
The ISIS network includes more than 800 organizations, representing more than 80 countries who share information about their animal collections and best practices in animal care through the ISIS network. ISIS has continually gained membership since its inception. As ISIS continues to grow, the knowledge in our database will be enhanced.
Animal management specialist will have continual, real-time access to this information to aid their wildlife conservation efforts. It is the goal of ISIS to obtain the broadest possible participation in data collection and sharing for zoos, aquariums and related organizations worldwide.

​Zoos and aquariums
Social, cultural, educational and economic impact
The number of species known to be threatened with extinction has topped 16,928, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their ranks include familiar species like the Polar Bear, Hippopotamus, sharks and freshwater fish. Zoos and aquariums provide homes for many of these threatened and endangered species, and are actively involved in conservation and recovery programs.
More than 600 million visitors pass through the gates of the these same zoos and aquariums around the world each year (WAZA, www.waza.org). They learn about the animals held in these institutions those that are threatened and those that aren't  and become stewards of the environment.
In North America alone, zoos and aquaria dedicate $52 million annually to education programs that teach more than 12 million people. This number includes, almost 85,000 teachers who profit from training workshops, special membership opportunities and free or discounted teaching materials. Virtually every group imaginable is reached through zoo and aquarium education efforts (www.bgci.org and www.aza.org).
Perhaps most pointedly, the public trusts the conservation message of zoos and aquaria.
​Fact sheets
from zoos, aquariums and wildlife conservation organizations
European Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (EAZA) Conservation Campaigns

In 2000, EAZA started with an important activity: organizing annual conservation campaigns. These campaigns increase the cooperation between EAZA, its members, and other conservation organizations through addressing a variety of issues affecting a range of species and habitats.
AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums work to save species from imminent extinction by conducting ex situ research to support reintroduction programs that re-establish populations in the wild.
AZA also partners with zoos, aquariums, and other conservation organizations to increase awareness of threats to high-profile species such as amphibians and elephants, as well as entire ecosystems.