© 2026 WAZA | All Rights Reserved | Legal Notice | Terms of Use | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Design
WAZA Launches New International Studbook Framework to Strengthen Global Population Management and Conservation Collaboration
Posted: 27 May 2026
WAZA is pleased to announce the launch of its new International Studbook (ISB) Framework, unveiled this week during the 6th Joint TAG Meeting in Taipei Zoo.
Developed over more than a year by a dedicated taskforce of the WAZA Committee for Population Management (CPM), with valuable input from International Studbook Coordinators, and population management experts, the new framework establishes a more coordinated, transparent and scalable approach to the management of International Studbooks across the global zoo and aquarium community.
The framework represents an important step forward in strengthening international collaboration and ensuring that ex situ population data can be used more effectively to support regional programme roles and global population management goals and roles worldwide.
Why International Studbooks Matter
International Studbooks are maintained under the auspices of WAZA and overseen by the Committee for Population Management (CPM). They represent the highest level of global population monitoring and management and provide a vital service to the zoo and aquarium community.
Studbooks are one of the most important tools for the scientific management of ex situ animal populations. They help ensure demographic stability, maintain genetic diversity and provide the information required to support informed population management decisions.
Studbook keepers maintain detailed pedigree and demographic records for specific taxa, including births, deaths, transfers, parentage, institutional holdings and other information relevant to species management. These datasets support coordinated decision-making across institutions, regions and conservation programmes.
Today, there are more than 130 active WAZA International Studbooks covering over 140 species and subspecies.
View the current list of WAZA International Studbooks:
https://www.waza.org/priorities/conservation/waza-international-studbooks/
A New Framework for a More Connected Global Community
The revised framework reflects a simple but ambitious goal: enabling the global zoo and aquarium community to work together through shared datasets wherever possible, creating a more coordinated and effective system to work together and support regional and global species’ goals.
Collaborative data management helps optimise resources, reduce duplication of effort, improve data quality and strengthen coordination across regions. The framework recognises that, within the current conservation landscape with increasing threats on wildlife, and in alignment with the KMGBF, a different and more integrative approach to conservation is required. The new framework supports this approach.
The new framework, reshapes International Studbooks as shared global datasets maintained collaboratively by regional studbook coordinators and International Studbook Coordinators, creating a stronger foundation for coordinated population management at a global scale.
Key Outcomes of the New Framework
The revised framework introduces several important advancements:
Shared Global Datasets
The framework formally recognises International Studbooks as collaborative global datasets that can support multiple regional programmes simultaneously. This approach encourages institutions and regions to work from shared information sources, reducing duplication and improving consistency.
Stronger Global Coordination
The framework establishes a more coordinated international approach to population data management, strengthening collaboration and alignment among WAZA member regional associations while reinforcing WAZA’s role as a global convenor and facilitator and providing a platform for knowledge sharing across regions, facilitating succession in the future.
Clearer Roles and Responsibilities
The responsibilities of regional coordinators and International Studbook Coordinators have been clarified, providing improved governance, accountability and oversight while supporting more effective collaboration between regions.
Improved Data Governance and Sustainability
Clearer processes have been introduced for data access, data management, reporting and long-term programme sustainability. The framework also creates opportunities for greater capacity sharing between regions and stronger engagement with range-country partners.
Supporting WAZA’s Strategic Priorities
The new framework directly supports two key pillars of WAZA’s Strategic Plan.
Under Transformative Leadership, it strengthens WAZA’s ability to facilitate collaboration across regions and enables members to operate within a coordinated, data-driven global system.
Under Species Impact, it improves the quality, accessibility and coordination of population data, supporting stronger alignment between regions and providing an opportunity to enhance the contribution of ex situ populations to conservation planning and species recovery efforts, when those populations require it.
Looking Ahead
The WAZA Committee for Population Management met ahead of the 6th Joint TAG meeting, and over a workshop discussed what the implementation or roll-out would look like, informing the workplan for the committee for the coming years.
WAZA recognises that transitioning to a more integrated global framework will take time. The implementation of the framework will therefore be guided by collaboration, flexibility and respect for data governance considerations, including Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles and partnerships with range-state stakeholders.
The launch of the revised International Studbook Framework represents a significant milestone in the continued evolution of global population management and demonstrates the commitment of the zoo and aquarium community to working together for the benefit of species conservation.
The WAZA Executive Office extends its sincere thanks to the members of the CPM taskforce, the whole committee, International Studbook Coordinators, Species360, WAZA Council, and all contributors whose expertise and collaboration helped shape the new framework. For enquiries regarding the International Studbook Framework or WAZA International Studbooks, please contact Paula Cerdán, Head of Conservation and Animal Welfare, at conservation@waza.org.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
WAZA is a member of the following organisations:
