Michael is the Supervisor of the Herpetofauna Department at Taronga Zoo and is co-convenor of the Zoo and Aquarium Association's Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group. His work focuses on the application of ex-situ technologies for the conservation of Australia's threatened reptiles and amphibians. This includes establishing insurance colonies, developing husbandry and reproduction protocols, providing quantities of offspring for experimental translocations and facilitating conservation research. Amphibian species worked with in recent years include Southern Corroboree Frog, Northern Corroboree Frog, Green and Golden Bell Frog, Yellow-spotted Bell Frog, Booroolong Frog and Alpine Tree Frog.