Conservation in zoos
Studbook
Also called Regional studbook, International studbook, Zoo studbook, Studbook keeper
Definition
A studbook is the official record of every animal in a managed zoo population, tracking each one's parents, birth, moves between institutions and death. Population managers use it to plan breeding that keeps the population healthy and genetically diverse.
On this page
What a studbook is
A studbook is the family tree and life history of an entire managed population of animals. In zoos, it lists every individual of a species held by participating institutions, along with details such as:
- Parents (sire and dam), if known
- Birth or hatch date and where it happened
- Sex
- Every move between zoos or aquariums
- Death date, once an animal dies
AZA describes its regional studbooks as documenting "the pedigree and entire demographic history" of each animal, so the whole group can be managed as one population rather than many small ones.
Why studbooks matter
Small populations lose genetic diversity quickly. If closely related animals breed, offspring are more likely to have health problems, and the population as a whole becomes less able to adapt.
A studbook lets managers see who is related to whom, even across dozens of institutions and many generations. With that information they can:
- Pair animals that are as unrelated as possible
- Avoid overrepresenting one family line
- Track the age and sex mix of the population, so there will be enough breeding animals in the future
- Spot gaps, such as too few young females
Studbooks and Species Survival Plans
In AZA zoos, the studbook is the foundation of a Species Survival Plan (SSP). Each SSP is responsible for keeping an up-to-date studbook. Population biologists then analyze that data to write a Breeding and Transfer Plan, which recommends specific pairings and moves.
Some species have a studbook without a full SSP, and some studbooks cover only a region. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) oversees international studbooks that link records across zoos worldwide.
Who keeps the studbook
Each studbook has a studbook keeper, usually an experienced zoo professional who takes on the job alongside their regular work. They collect updates from every participating institution and keep the records accurate. It's careful, unglamorous work, but it's what allows an insurance population to stay healthy for decades.
To learn more about how this fits into zoo conservation, read how zoos help conservation.
Examples
Common questions
What is a studbook used for?
A studbook is used to manage breeding. By knowing every animal's ancestry, population managers can recommend pairings between animals that are not closely related, which keeps the population genetically diverse and avoids inbreeding.
Who keeps a zoo studbook?
Each studbook is maintained by a studbook keeper, usually a zoo professional who volunteers for the role. In North America, AZA regional studbook keepers compile the records for animals across AZA institutions and partners.
Is a studbook the same as a Species Survival Plan?
No, but they work together. The studbook is the data: the family tree and history of the population. The Species Survival Plan uses that data to write a Breeding and Transfer Plan with specific recommendations.
Are there international studbooks?
Yes. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) oversees international studbooks that track a species across zoos in many countries, alongside regional studbooks like those kept by AZA.
Related terms
- Species Survival Plan (SSP)A Species Survival Plan (SSP) is a cooperative breeding program run by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It manages one species across many zoos and aquariums as a single population, recommending which animals breed and which move so the population stays healthy and genetically diverse.
- Insurance populationAn insurance population is a group of animals kept in human care as a backup for a species that is at risk in the wild. If the wild population crashes, the insurance population keeps the species alive and can supply animals for reintroduction.
- Ex situ conservationEx situ conservation means protecting a species outside its natural habitat, for example by breeding it in zoos, aquariums or botanical gardens, or by storing seeds and frozen cells. In situ conservation is the opposite: protecting species where they live in the wild.
- AZA accreditationAZA accreditation is a voluntary, independent review by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that confirms a zoo or aquarium meets professional standards for animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education and safety. Accredited facilities are re-inspected every five years.
Sources
- Studbooks (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
- International Studbooks (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
- Species Survival Plan Programs (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
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