Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Population Management Software

Population management software facilitates the decision-making processes for managing captive populations. With programs that specialize in various aspects of population management, from record keeping to genetic analysis, keepers can analyze data and model simulations to assess management options. Below are links to commonly-used population management software.

PopLink
Developed by the Lincoln Park Zoo, PopLink is a windows-based software program developed to create, maintain, analyze, and export studbook databases for use in population management. Studbook keepers can use PopLink to simply view and ask questions of their data and/or to make updates and changes to their data (e.g. to maintain their studbook). Population Biologists and researchers can use PopLink to analyze and export data for use in population management software such as PM2000 and ZooRisk.

PopLink can import studbook databases from SPARKS and export PopLink databases into SPARKS studbook databases, thus allowing the user to use whichever software he or she prefers. These import and export features ensure that when the time comes to import studbook data from SPARKS into ZIMS, data maintained or entered in PopLink will not be lost. PopLink is owned and copyrighted by the Lincoln Park Zoo and distributed free of charge for population management and research. Email software@lpzoo.org for more information.

MateRx
MateRx analyzed which pairs should be bred to minimize inbreeding in a population, calculating a single number (mate suitability index, or MSI) for every potential breeding pair that measures the relative genetic benefit or detriment to the population. Developed by the National Zoological Park and Lincoln Park Zoo, MateRx is available at no cost to individuals and non-profit organizations.

Outbreak
The effects and risks of diseases on a wildlife population can be predicted using Outbreak, designed by J.P. Pollack, Robert Lacy, Patti Bright, and Laura Hungerford. Outbreak can be used with Vortex (listed below) to provide a more extensive assessment of population viability. The initial test version is available as a free download. Outbreak is copyrighted and restricted to use by individuals and non-profit organizations engaged in conservation and research.

VORTEX
Vortex is population viability analysis (PVA) software produced by Robert Lacy of the Chicago Zoological Society. This simulation program is designed to assess risks of extinction for threatened species based on biology, demographic stochasticity, environmental variation, genetic change, and management options. Vortex is copyrighted but distributed at no cost for conservation and research purposes.

PM2000
PM2000 is a Windows-based software for analyzing and managing pedigreed populations. PM2000 may be used with SPARKS, a studbook management software developed by the International Species Information Systems (ISIS) or used independently for data presented in a specific format or directly entered into the program. Produced collaboratively by AZA, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society, and Smithsonian Zoological Park, PM2000 is distributed at no cost to individuals, non-profit organizations, and AZA members to further conservation and research.

SPARKS
Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System is a DOS-based studbook and species management software program used by many keepers worldwide. It organizes data into a specific format that allows it to be easily used with other population management software such as PM2000. SPARKS is developed by the International Species Information System (ISIS).

ZooRisk
Developed by the Lincoln Park Zoo, ZooRisk is a software program that helps managers make decisions for captive populations. ZooRisk analyzes population history, biology, and manageability to assess the risk of extinction due to demographics, genetics, and management processes. ZooRisk is owned and copyrighted by the Lincoln Park Zoo and distributed free of charge for population management, research, and education. Email zoorisk@lpzoo.org for more information.

Please note that ZooRisk is used to assess non-member applications for SSP participation.