Michael Boos

Michael Boos (BOH-ze) is the Chief Animal Officer at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Michael began his career in 1983 with SeaWorld Orlando as an Operations Guest Services Supervisor and Senior Animal Trainer before becoming Supervisor of Animal Training at SeaWorld Parks in Orlando and Cleveland. Michael was with SeaWorld until 2002. Prior to joining the Aquarium in 2023, Michael was the Executive Director of Zoological Operations and Conservation at Ocean Park Hong Kong. He was responsible for more than 270 team members in animal health, life support, conservation, zoological revenue, visitor experience, and fundraising. In addition to his leadership capacity, Michael was also the Foundation Director of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation where he represented the Ocean Park Corporation and the Foundation in the community, media, and trade organizations. He was the main liaison for Ocean Park to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Attractions (AMMPA), and American Humane.

Before assuming his role in Hong Kong, Michael was Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica parks from 2012-2019. He led the teams responsible for animal health, water quality, conservation, education, animal training, and research across three separate parks with more than 37,000 animals in their care. From 2010-2012, he held the same title at Busch Gardens Tampa. While at Busch Gardens he helped implement their protective contact elephant program, the Cheetah Run habitat, and their state-of-the-art Animal Care Center. From 2002-2010 he was General Curator and Curator of Behavioral Husbandry at Busch Gardens Tampa where he oversaw behavior, animal training, enrichment, and husbandry programs.

Michael holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Saint Leo University in Tampa, FL. He is a current member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Zoo and Aquarium Committee and a Professional Fellow of AZA. He was a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Finance Committee from 2019-2021 and was on the Board of Directors for AMMPA from 2017-2021.