Story perspectives

San Diego Zoo and Illumina Unite for Wildlife Conservation

2/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) and Illumina will sequence up to 4,000 samples from 1,300 species in the Frozen Zoo.
Illumina's multiomic technologies will support research on genetic diversity and population history.
Rolf Benirschke, board chair of SDZWA, says the partnership advances conservation science and fulfills his father’s vision, who founded the Frozen Zoo in 1975.
The collaboration will provide vital insights for wildlife conservation and protect threatened species.

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Story summary

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) and Illumina will sequence up to 4,000 samples from 1,300 species in the Frozen Zoo.
Illumina's multiomic technologies will support research on genetic diversity and population history.
Rolf Benirschke, board chair of SDZWA, says the partnership advances conservation science and fulfills his father’s vision, who founded the Frozen Zoo in 1975.
The collaboration will provide vital insights for wildlife conservation and protect threatened species.