PopLink

About

PopLink is a computer program designed to improve the management and analysis of studbook databases. A studbook is an electronic record of the history of a population. It includes information on every individual in a population, such as pedigrees, dates of birth and death, and moves between locations. The studbook traces the entire history of each individual in a population; these collective histories describe the population’s genetic and demographic identity.

PopLink can help maintain, analyze, and export the data relevant to the genetic and demographic management of a population in zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, or breeding centers, or for wild populations that are tracked at an individual level.

Studbook keepers can use PopLink to track and maintain all the data relevant to an individual species. Population biologists can use PopLink to analyze and export the studbook for further genetic and demographic analyses to support population management decisions.

Current Version

To learn more about PopLink and download the most current version, visit the program’s website.

If you have any questions about installation or use of PopLink, please contact [email protected].

How to Cite PopLink

Software Citation Faust, L.F., Bergstrom, Y. M., Bier, L. , Oliver, J., Senner, P. W., and Thompson, S.D. (2026). PopLink Version 3.0.1. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL.

Manual Citation Faust, L.F., Senner, P. W., Bier, L., Schowe, K., and Gazlay, T. (2026). PopLink 3.0: User’s Manual. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL.

Program Partners

PopLink is developed by Lincoln Park Zoo and Tracks Data Solutions, and is shareware distributed free of charge. It is owned and copyrighted by Lincoln Park Zoo, but not copy-protected. It was developed with grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and support from Lincoln Park Zoo; Minnesota Zoo; Fort Worth Zoo; San Diego Zoo; the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; United Airlines; Arcus Foundation; Tracks Data Solutions, Inc.; Puerto Rican Department of Natural and Environmental Resources; and World Parrot Trust.