Teacher's passion for children, animals lives on

Dale McDaniel, longtime Carson City teacher and founder of Sierra Safari Zoo, died at his home on Jan. 22 at age 53.

McDaniel, who taught nearly 16 years, combined his love for children and passion for animals to help students in need. He often brought exotic animals from the zoo to interact with the special-education students in the school district.

Nannette Oleson, a longtime friend and former co-worker, said the children were exposed to all kinds of animals, from sloths to ligers. She said they learned leadership skills, discipline, self-esteem and compassion for living things.

"Dale was passionate about kids and their rights and getting them what they needed from the educational system," she said. "He believed that went beyond text books and mandated testing. He focused on the whole child.

"When Dale walked into a building everyone followed in eager interest wondering what would jump out of the box or what would pop out of his head."

Zoo co-founder Jimmie Martin said going all out was just part of McDaniel's personality.

"Dale didn't know the word moderation," Martin said. "Most of his life was in excess."

He said the two started out raising parrots.

"He insisted we must raise the biggest bird in the world, ostriches," Martin recalled. "That was the beginning of the zoo collection."

They started the zoo north of Reno in August 1998, and, Martin said, it became McDaniel's life.

"His real love was of raising and relating to animals. His knowledge of all animals was vast," Martin said. "He lavished this information on the zoo personnel and is responsible for much of their superb care of and understanding of animals."

As such, he eschewed a traditional lifestyle.

"He had minimal use for clothing or most material objects," Martin said. "It often seemed as though his reason to acquire material things was so he could then throw them away."

Oleson said he struggled with his health for many years and died in his sleep. She said his passing will leave a void in the community.

"It's a huge loss to the community and to the kids," she said. "He worked with kids who were out of control with no sense of self that he was able to change in the process of working with the animals and the kinds of programs he offered. It's something that can't be replicated.

"There will be people who have a different sphere of influence, but it will not be what Dale's influence was over the years."

A celebration of life will be held in late spring when the flowers are in bloom and the zoo is open again.

McDaniel is survived by his partner John Parker and a brother.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Sierra Safari Zoo, a nonprofit organization, 10200 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89506.