Ep10 Jim Guenter on Species360, the use of data for animal welfare and conservation, and global collaboration

Jim Guenter is the CEO of Species360

Jim has led Species360 since 2015. Before joining our organization, he served in technology leadership roles for major US corporations including Target.com, Best Buy, and Accenture, in computer systems and sciences. Jim also served 5 years in the US Army.

Species360 is a non-profit organisation and works with over 1200 member institutions worldwide, including aquariums, zoos, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers, governments, universities and colleges, and others. The member community curates and shares husbandry, welfare, medical, and population data for animals in their care, using a software system called Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS). 

A special module called Care and Welfare allows animal care professionals to record and communicate the welfare of animals in their care, watching the trends over time, being able to monitor different characteristics. From moving around the enclosure, how they interact with other animals and care staff, and more. 

The Species360 team is comprised of animal care and aquatics professionals, software engineers, and member support and training representatives. Species360 also has a team of conservation scientists, called the Species360 Conservation Science Alliance, who work in partnership with the IUCN, CITES, and other organisations. This team, based in Denmark and including a network of universities and research organisations around the world, is focused on how to use global data for species conservation. 

Jim shares success stories of the Species360 team and success stories of zoos and aquariums members, as well zoo associations, that have used for ZIMS for species conservation, and a newer development in collaboration with the IUCN Red List.

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