Will Elgar was appointed as director of Zoo Miami, the 5th largest zoo in the US and the oldest and largest zoo in Florida, in 2021. During his 20+ year career in the zoo and aquarium industry, he has amassed a great deal of experience in working with animals in various countries and cultures, as well as working in both aquarium and zoo settings. He has worked at Chessington World of Adventures, Zoological Society of London (ZSL)- Whipsnade Zoo, Dolphin Quest Bermuda, Atlantis in the Bahamas, and Georgia Aquarium.
Elgar is the first president of the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) to hold office for a two-year period. He assisted in organising, planning, and carrying out the second joint AZA/IMATA conference in New Orleans in 2019, as well as organising the first joint IMATA/ABMA (Animal Behaviour Management Alliance) conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023. He advises Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava on all animal-related matters and is a member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Executive Leadership Development Programme (ELDP). He also acts as an accreditation inspector for AZA and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA).
He is a leader in the zoo and aquarium sector, a committed conservationist, and an expert in animal behaviour and training.
“He always has the animals’ best interest at the forefront of his mind when making decisions that enable him to prioritize funding, create strategic and master plans, design new exhibits, enhance established exhibits, and make connections with other zoos and aquariums,” said one nominator. “He leads by example and is dedicated to advancing the well-being and care of not only the animals under his care at Zoo Miami but the care of animals worldwide through conservation efforts.
“He demonstrates what it means to be an impactful member of the community, one who consistently pushes the current standards to new levels and inspires everyone he encounters to do the same.”