SIERRA SAFARI ZOO

Sierra Safari Zoo has become a fixture of the Truckee Meadows community for over twenty-seven years. The Sierra Safari Zoo was started by 3 men, Dale McDaniel, Jimmie Martin, and Dave Dawson. They had a collection of exotic animals as a hobby which started with ostriches. They acquired the property in January 1989 and the zoo opened in August 1990. The first real exotic animal was an African Lion, named Claude. Which was followed three months later by a male liger, Hobbs, one of the zoo's most prized ambassadors.

Though still small, the zoo has now become the largest zoo in Nevada, with over two hundred animals of over forty different species. Sierra Safari educates, and entertains young and old alike. Some unusual animals reside at our zoo, we are home to Lemurs, Zebras, Camels, Cavies, and Leopards. The zoo boasts six kinds of monkeys, and eight kinds of wild cat that include Lions and Tigers. Dale McDaniel, co-founder of Sierra Safari Zoo said:

"My dream was to bring the animals I loved together with the children of the area to promote empathy for animals everywhere. I had no idea what even the running of a small facility would entail."

Sierra Safari operates daily by the loving ministrations of over fifty animal loving volunteers, and with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Community Work Program for which we are extremely grateful.

Here at Sierra Safari Zoo we are constantly expanding and improving the habitats of our animals. You too can help us in improving our Zoo, facilities and programs in the education of animals. Donate by clicking the donate button above or the support page for more information.

OUR MISSION

To foster compassion for and knowledge about animals and our environment by bringing people and animals together. We do this with a commitment for the responsible care of our animal ambassadors and to encourage the thoughtful stewardship of all animals on Earth.