Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol is at the forefront of global efforts to save the planet’s wildlife, contributing to what is becoming the world’s most extensive and detailed digital knowledge base on over 22,000 species.
As an active member of the renowned global nonprofit Species360, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm supports a critical global database on a daily basis, sharing crucial data on the animals in its care, from intricate lifecycle traits to specialised environmental needs.
This invaluable information feeds into the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), a gold standard in species data that has been instrumental for 50 years. To date, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has documented insights on more than 1,755 animals, encompassing 301 species, subspecies, and breeds, including several endangered and critically endangered, making a profound impact on the conservation landscape.
By collaborating with conservation institutions worldwide, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is s create a comprehensive planetary overview of animal life. This shared knowledge propels advancements in critical areas such as disease treatment, animal welfare, population health, and species preservation, both in the wild, and in reserves, zoos and animal parks. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s active role in this global initiative underscores its unwavering commitment to animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through meticulous data recording by trained keepers, the zoo not only ensures that its own animals receive the highest standard of care but also supports wider efforts in species population management and conservation.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm also uses the ZIMS platform to stay ahead in understanding the needs of each animal and group under its guardianship at its park in North Somerset. Tools like the Species360 Global Medical Resources, part of ZIMS for Medical, offer veterinarians essential benchmarks for normal blood test results, significantly aiding in disease treatment and prevention. Moreover, the ZIMS for Studbooks module is a game-changer for conservation teams, helping maintain genetic diversity and the overall health of animal populations in human care—a crucial element for successful reintroduction programs aimed at restoring native species to their natural habitats.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s ongoing contributions to this important knowledge base are driving advancements in animal welfare and species conservation, in line with its recently published Vision and the zoo’s commitments to care and protect animals. By leading the charge to protect the planet’s biodiversity, the zoo is not just preserving the present but is also laying the foundation for a sustainable future where all species can thrive.
You can find out more about the zoo’s conservation work on its website.
