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What WAZA’s New International Studbook Framework Means for Animal-Holding Institution
WAZA’s new International Studbook Framework sets out a more coordinated approach to managing international population data. Here is what it means for zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and other animal-holding institutions.
Introduction
As a consultant working with zoos, wildlife parks, educational institutions and animal collections, I take a close interest in developments that influence animal welfare, population management and professional standards.
WAZA launched its new International Studbook Framework on 27 May 2026 during the sixth Joint Taxon Advisory Group meeting at Taipei Zoo. WAZA says the framework is intended to create a more coordinated, transparent and scalable approach to managing International Studbooks across the global zoo and aquarium community.
What is an International Studbook?
WAZA defines an International Studbook as a global ex situ population shared dataset for a particular taxon. It is maintained collaboratively by regional studbook coordinators appointed by WAZA Member Regional Associations and an International Studbook Coordinator appointed by WAZA.
The framework states that International Studbooks are intended to support clearly defined roles identified by the relevant regions. These roles may include supporting species recovery, managing ex situ populations, generating research and knowledge, providing information to range countries, facilitating reintroduction or translocation efforts, and supporting national policy or species-level conservation strategies.
Why studbooks matter
WAZA describes studbooks as an important tool for the scientific management of ex situ populations. They help provide information about population size, demographic stability and genetic diversity.
Studbook keepers maintain pedigree and demographic histories for defined taxa. According to WAZA, these records can include each animal’s registration number, sex, birth date, parents, place of birth, transfers between institutions, births, captures, deaths and releases.
Additional information may include rearing details, behavioural traits relevant to breeding-programme participation and causes of death. Studbooks also include information about historic and current holders, helping support communication between institutions and the studbook keeper.
The move towards shared global datasets
The new framework formally recognises International Studbooks as shared global datasets that may support more than one regional programme.
WAZA states that collaborative data management can help optimise resources, reduce duplication of effort, improve data quality and strengthen coordination between regions. The framework also states that shared datasets should allow information to be managed at a scale greater than a single region.
Species may be held across several regions, while different regional programmes may have different roles and priorities for the same species. The framework is designed to allow those regional roles to continue while supporting greater coordination at global level.
Clearer responsibilities
The framework sets out specific responsibilities for the International Studbook Coordinator. The coordinator acts as curator of the global dataset and facilitates coordination between regions.
The framework states that the coordinator must support the availability of a current global dataset, coordinate update frequencies, encourage communication between regional coordinators and support data-quality control. The coordinator is also expected to help identify and correct duplicate records and other data-entry errors, research unknown pedigrees, support regular updates and help maintain alignment with relevant taxonomic standards, such as IUCN nomenclature.
Regional coordinators remain responsible for their regional contributions. WAZA’s framework states that regional coordinators retain authority over data originating from their region, in line with their association’s policies.
Governance and ownership
The framework includes a specific section covering ownership, authority, accountability and dispute resolution.
It states that an International Studbook dataset is a shared global resource collectively stewarded by the contributing WAZA Member Regional Associations under WAZA oversight. It also states that no single region or coordinator holds exclusive ownership or unilateral control.
Decision-making is described as federated, meaning that authority is shared across regions rather than being held by one association or region. Where issues cannot be resolved, they may be referred to the WAZA Executive Office and, where appropriate, the WAZA Committee for Population Management.
The framework assigns primary responsibility for data accuracy to the regional coordinators who enter and validate information. The International Studbook Coordinator is responsible for the accuracy of additional data included in the studbook and supports the identification of gaps or inconsistencies.
Access to the data
The framework provides for different levels of access. Regional coordinators may receive editing access through their relevant regional zoo and aquarium association or the WAZA Executive Office. Analytical access may be granted to population biologists and supporting professionals following a request from a regional or International Studbook Coordinator.
Other uses, including research, are governed by WAZA’s Data Sharing and Use framework. The framework also states that contributors should receive recognition for their data and that public use must respect acknowledgements, embargoes, sensitive records and range-state considerations.
How many studbooks are involved?
Species360 reported in June 2026 that more than 1,730 studbooks were being managed in ZIMS across international, regional, national and institutional levels.
The same report stated that more than 130 active WAZA International Studbooks covered over 140 species and subspecies. WAZA’s current International Studbooks page also reports more than 130 active International Studbooks, including more than 140 species or subspecies.
Implementation and the WAZA 2027 Population Management Goal
WAZA states that the framework will be implemented over time in collaboration with International Studbook Coordinators and other partners. The framework recognises that regions and coordinators will need time to adapt their processes and align with shared datasets.
WAZA’s 29 April 2026 update on the WAZA 2027 Population Management Goal provides wider context. By 31 December 2027, WAZA Regional Associations, and where relevant National Associations, are expected to establish science-based population-management frameworks aligned with WAZA-approved elements and to require participation by institutional members.
WAZA identifies six elements for professional and effective population management: goal-driven species selection; sourcing, transfer and destination policy; data, tools and science; animal welfare; member engagement and participation; and capacity building and staff. The International Studbook Framework sits within this wider direction towards coordinated, science-based population management.
What this means for institutions
For organisations holding animals, the message is practical: accurate records remain essential. Identification, parentage, transfers, births, deaths, health information and other relevant details need to be recorded carefully and kept current. The quality of any wider population-management decision depends on the quality of the information contributed by participating organisations.
This is an area where I can offer relevant, current professional experience. I have worked with animal collections for more than 35 years and support organisations with animal welfare, husbandry, habitat design, licensing, staff development, education and collection management. I am also a qualified assessor for animal-care and animal-management apprenticeship and end-point assessment standards, including areas relevant to keepers, aquarists, animal training and animal-care management.
My role is not to speak on behalf of WAZA or to suggest any affiliation with WAZA. My purpose is to interpret developments such as this from a practical animal-care and collection-management perspective, then help institutions consider what they mean for everyday work.
Are animal records accurate, complete and regularly updated?
Can staff trace an animal’s history and parentage?
Are transfers, births and deaths recorded promptly?
Is important knowledge held in a consistent system rather than by one individual?
Do current procedures support welfare, husbandry and collection decisions?
Are staff trained to understand why accurate records matter?
These are practical questions, not paperwork for its own sake. Reliable records help institutions demonstrate professional standards, support informed decision-making and contribute meaningful information to wider conservation programmes.
If your organisation is reviewing its animal records, population-management processes, staff capability or collection procedures, I would be pleased to arrange a relaxed, no-obligation conversation about the support available.
Carl GroombridgeDirector, Animal Insights Consultancy
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