Peter Giljam

Growing up in the Netherlands, Peter was always curious about the natural world. After completing two successful internships at Waterpark Neeltje Jans, where he had his first taste of the marine mammal world, Peter landed a job at Ouwehands Zoo in early 2005, working with California sea lions. Attending the 2008 International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) conference was a game-changer for Peter; meeting trainers from all over the world inspired him to set higher standards for himself and his career development.

His animal training journey took him from working with walruses, belugas, sea lions and bottle-nosed dolphins in Canada to training killer whales in Tenerife. His work with a young deaf killer whale named Morgan, secured him the People’s Choice Award at the 2013 IMATA conference.

After a brief stint working with killer whales in France, Peter relocated to Sweden to work as a senior marine mammal trainer at Kolmården Wildlife Park. Where he worked himself up to the zoo’s animal training coordinator, he has taken on the challenge to change the culture of animal training across the organisation. Serving on the board of IMATA as Vice President between 2016 and 2018 was a dream come true for Peter.

In 2021 he was asked to share his experiences in a Dierenpark Amersfoort which is where he now works as the animal training advisor. As the creator of Zoospensefull Peter delivers thought- provoking presentations and workshops about training strategies and systems, applicable to all species and encourages animal professionals to ‘think outside the zoo’.

A passionate animal training and behaviour consultant, Peter is proficient in operant conditioning methodology and through his teaching you are bound to feel motivated and inspired to take on your next training project challenge.