Lise Watson

With an emphasis on conservation for sharks and rays, as assistant director of animal operations and habitats, Lise Watson provides support to help ensure best practices for animal care and welfare at Shedd. She plays an especially critical role in supporting the aquarium’s acquisitions, disputations and animal transports during Shedd’s Centennial Commitment strategic plan.

Watson has more than 40 years of shark husbandry experience. A key focus of her career, both at Shedd and beyond, is breeding and rearing sharks and rays. From 2008-18 she served on behalf of zebra sharks in an official capacity with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as both a Studbook Keeper and Species Survival Plan (SSP) Coordinator; in 2023 resumed her role as coordinator for the program.

Further, Watson is involved in helping with SSP and ReShark efforts to increase endangered zebra shark populations in the wild. These efforts leverage the proven success of accredited aquariums, including Shedd, with the long-term intent of releasing pups hatched from aquarium-bred eggs and reared in human care into protected areas. The ultimate goal is to create self-sustaining populations for the species; to date more than 50 sharks have been hatched, reared and released as part of the program.

She also is a member of ReShark’s StAR Project Working Group and has traveled to Indonesia and Thailand to train local staff and provide additional support.