Increasing transparency and coordination in ex situ species conservation

Once again, this meeting highlighted how many volunteer efforts already exist in the area of ex situ species conservation. The challenge that all species conservation efforts face is the issue of data collection and processing. Accordingly, the presentation of the new wildlife database “Wild at Home” struck a chord with the aquarists in attendance. The database, designed by Frogs & Friends, has been in development for two years thanks to funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and the support of software developer marmalade GmbH, and is due to be presented to the public next year. The online tool will not only be used for the management of CC programs, but will be accessible to all wildlife keepers and breeding communities, thus providing the opportunity to facilitate and standardize the documentation of species conservation programs. The reactions of the fishkeepers and species coordinators of voluntary associations present were correspondingly positive and coupled with the hope that Wild at Home will provide them with an effective tool to make the coordination of species conservation programs within the aquatics scene much more effective and transparent.