Dave Salmoni is a graduate of Laurentian University's four-year biology program, in Ontario, Canada, and he apprenticed as an animal trainer at Bowman Zoological Park, Canada's oldest private zoological park, established in 1919. Salmoni prides himself on his safety record, emphasizing strict precautions and a strong respect for the wild instinct in all animals.

Salmoni works as a big cat trainer and zoologist, but his expertise extends beyond the realm of lions and tigers to include a variety of wild animals. He has worked with wildlife in Africa, and his research has encouraged breeding programs for endangered species in zoos around the world. He specializes in returning captive-bred animals to the wild, teaching them hunting and survival skills. He has appeared in many television programs as an authority on big cats, including Discovery's Living With Tigers.