Sierra Safari Zoo

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 1987 and the zoo opened in August 1987. 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. The zoo is completely staffed by volunteers and today there are approximately 50 who perform the day to day care and feeding of the 150 or so residents at Sierra Safari Zoo. The zoo's volunteers are people who have a great passion for animals and the zoo provides an opportunity to work with many amazing creatures.