You’ll Absolutely Love A Trip To This Little Known Safari Zoo In Nevada

Next time you're in Reno, your family will love a trip to the Sierra Safari Zoo. For more than 27 years, this largest-in-Nevada zoo has been a fixture in the Truckee Meadows area of Reno. Animal lovers of all ages will delight in the more than 150 varieties and 50 different species of animals in an up-close and personal setting. Visitors can feed deer and goats in the large petting zoo; have an up-close encounter with the facility's lions and liger; have a conversation with Mac, the scarlet macaw; and see a variety of animals you may never see again in your lifetime.The entire staff is composed of volunteers who have a strong commitment to the zoo's residents.

The Sierra Safari Zoo was founded by three men: Dale McDaniel, Jimmie Martin, and Dave Dawson. They had their own collection of exotic animals which began with ostriches. In January 1989, they acquired the property where the zoo now sits, and the zoo opened in August 1990. The zoo is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that donates every single cent back into the facility for the care of the animals.

Sierra Safari Zoo relies on the kindness and strong work ethic of its volunteers who take care of everything from animal care, groundskeeping, feeding, animal enrichment, public outreach, and education programs. The zoo also partners with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Community Work Program.

This adorable little fawn was born at the zoo last summer and is doing fabulously.

The very first wildcat at the facility was an African lion named Claude, and the male liger, Hobbs, is one of the zoo's most prized ambassadors.

You'll find some quite unusual animals such as lemurs, zebras, camels, cavies, leopards, and various reptiles throughout the zoo. Here are some zebras mugging for the camera.

The zoo's mission statement is "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."

The zoo boasts six species of monkeys and eight different types of wildcat which include lions, tigers, panthers, and lemurs. I'm not sure what this baboon thinks about this.

Both adults and children "ooh" and "ahh" over this adorable little Western European Hedgehog.

Even though the animals do not have the most spacious of areas in which to roam, the zoo has improved over the years as donations have increased. The goal is to keep expanding its grounds to improve the zoo for its animals and visitors.

Each animal has an information plaque providing data and other valuable information.

Visitors of all ages can purchase food inside the gift shop to feed the deer, goats, and other petting zoo residents.

There are even two playgrounds for the kids...

...and a shaded picnic area.

Sierra Safari Zoo is located at 10200 N. Virginia Street and is open seven days a week from April 1st through October 31st. For more information, please call (775) 677-1101.