Species360, an international non-profit organisation and global leader in wildlife data management, has revealed the speakers for the 3rd Annual Species360 Conservation Science Alliance Research Symposium.
This year’s presentations highlight the variety of insights derived from the aggregated data in the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
Topics include post-release health monitoring in echidnas, life expectancy and welfare of zoo elephants, the impact of latitudinal displacement on carnivore reproduction, and more.
This year’s online symposium on 29 July gathers researchers worldwide leveraging ZIMS shared wildlife data to address urgent issues in animal health, wildlife demographics, and conservation.
Speakers and presentation topics
Dr Adrienne Lavinia (Federation University & Ballarat Wildlife Hospital, Australia) will present Health assessment and post-release movement of short-beaked echidnas.
The study combines wildlife hospital records, pathogen testing and telemetry to examine echidna health, survival and habitat use after release, highlighting the conservation value of regional wildlife hospitals and informing echidna husbandry in zoos.
Sam Parsons (Bristol Zoological Society, UK) will present An Investigation into Seasonality, Mortality, and Birth Demographics in Two Understudied Gecko Species.
Using ZIMS data, the study compares reproductive trends in two threatened gecko species to improve breeding management and address knowledge gaps, particularly for the turquoise dwarf gecko.
Irena Schneiderová (Charles University, Czechia) will present Squirrels in zoos: a ticket to ‘Noah’s Arks’ is too expensive for most species.
Analysing ZIMS and Zootierliste data, the study found few threatened squirrel species are held or successfully bred in zoos, calling for stronger collaboration to support conservation breeding and reintroductions.
Jessica Aikman (University of the West of England & Bristol Zoo Project, UK) will present Captive Husbandry and Breeding Records of African Grey Parrots.
Analysis of 1,284 ZIMS records identified factors influencing breeding success, demonstrating how husbandry, management and record-keeping can improve conservation outcomes.
Samantha Ward (Nottingham Trent University, UK) will present The effects of latitude displacements on the life events of zoo-housed carnivores.
Using long-term ZIMS data, the study explores how keeping carnivores outside their natural latitudes affects reproduction, survival and life history, providing insights to improve welfare and population management.
Fiona Sach (Zoological Society of London, UK) will present Long Live the Elephant: Rethinking Survival in Zoos. Analysing ZIMS data from 1960–2024, the study shows modern zoo elephants are living longer, healthier lives, with survival rates now comparable to or exceeding those of wild populations.When: 29 July 2026
The free event takes place at 4 pm CET / 9 am CDT. To register, please click here.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
