About Us

Sierra Safari Zoo has become a fixture of the Truckee Meadows community for over the last twenty years. Though small, it has 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 Sloths, Lemurs, Zebras, Camels, Cavies, and Leopards. The zoo boasts six kinds of monkeys, and eight kinds of wild cat that include Lions and Tigers.

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.

Our History

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.

Our Mission Statement

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.