Studbooks

A studbook is the pedigree and demographic history of a specific group of animals. The studbook may cover a single species with no subspecies, a single species and its various subspecies but without animals of hybrid or unknown origin, a single species and its various subspecies and hybrids, or a genus and as many full species as appropriate.

A studbook is a true record of a species history in captivity. It should include information on all animals that have ever lived in captivity, no matter how long they remain there. It must also include the ancestors of all animals in the studbook. Each animal is assigned a unique numerical identifier or studbook number that allows construction of a pedigree for genetic analyses and of age specific births and deaths for demographic analyses.

From the point when an animal enters captivity, the studbook tracks that animal for its entire life, recording all locations where it lives and the time spent at each location. The studbook ultimately records each animal's date of death or transfer from the managed population. In this way, studbooks assist animal managers to improve management of subsequent generations through well-conceived breedings, PMPs and SSP©s.

Studbook Keepers

A studbook keeper is an individual that compiles and maintains a pedigree and demographic database on a group of animals (usually a specific taxon) in captivity as a resource to the zoological community. The studbook keeper is also a researcher, pursuing the facts that tell the true history of the population. Tracking down animals of unknown origin, linking animals that have disappeared from one location and seem to have reappeared at another, and resolving conflicting information are among the tasks of the studbook keeper. The studbook keeper is the expert on, and chronicler of, the history of a specific captive population of animals.

The information provided by the studbook keeper may then be used to manage the captive population. The most intensive management levels are the ex situ conservation efforts such as the SSP© or PMP. Where an SSP© exists for a species, the studbook keeper is responsible for updating the species coordinator on changes in the database (e.g., births, deaths, transfers, etc.) so that management decisions can be made based on the most current information.

Studbooks maintained at the Minnesota Zoo and their Keepers

1. Amur Tiger Studbook, Indochinese Tiger and Sumatran Tiger Studbooks Keeper- Kathy Traylor-Holzer, former Zoo Population Analyst
2. Asian Forest Tortoise and Impressed Tortoise Studbooks Keeper: Karla Anderson, Tropics Keeper
3. Dwarf Mongoose Studbook Keeper: Christine McKnight, Tropics Zookeeper
4. Nilgiri Tahr Studbook Keeper: Fred Swengel, Tropics Keeper
5. Pallas Cat Studbook Keeper: Martha E. G. Caron, Ph.D., Conservation Biologist
6. Prevost's Squirrel Studbook Keeper: Laurie Trechsel, Tropics Zoologist
7. Takin Studbook and Goral Studbook Keeper: Tim Hill, Northern Trail Keeper
8. White-crested laughing thrush Studbook Keeper: Jimmy Pichner, Birds Supervisor
9. Wolverine Studbook Keeper: Chris Kline, Northern/Minnesota Trail Zoologist
10. Green Aracari Studbook Keeper: Kevin Willis, Bioprograms Director