OAKLAND ZOO GOES NATIVE
56-acre expansion has condors, bears, other state species
Nearly three dozen furry and feathery creatures will have settled into their new homes atop a hilly expansion of the Oakland Zoo by the time they go on full public display July 12.
And although many will have come from other parts of the country, their species are native to California.
In all, two grizzly bear cubs, two California condors, four bald eagles, three mountain lion cubs, one jaguar, five black bears, two wolves and 14 American buffaloes will occupy separate spacious wildlife habitats along the new 56-acre California Trail at the east end of the zoo.
Each species was selected for its historical significance to California and status in the wild, according to an Oakland Zoo press release. Their habitats were designed with input from wildlife and animal behavior experts, as well as habitat designers.
“The goal of the California Trail is to connect our visitors with the past, the present and the future of California,” said Darren Minier, an assistant director at the zoo.
The trail begins just a few yards
past the spot where a gondola drops off guests from the zoo’s main entrance. It offers animals and visitors panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, as well as Coit Tower, the Bay Bridge and the Transamerica building on clear days.
The expansion idea was hatched more than two decades ago, and ground finally broke three years ago. It more than doubles the zoo’s current size from 45 acres to 100 acres.
The project cost $71million, with the bulk of that financed from private and corporate donors. The city of Oakland contributed $11 million, and the East Bay Regional Park District pitched in $4million. Fundraising efforts began as early as 2007.
On a Wednesday media tour, grizzly bears munched on fruit treats while rambling through a clear blue pool. A small waterfall cascaded down a series of rocks where the jaguar soon will be placed. The mountain lions roamed through bushes that resemble those in a forest, and both con- dors perched atop a large, shaded tree. Buffaloes meandered through grassy plains, while the wolves hid behind trees and the black bears dowsed themselves in a pool. The bald eagles arrive next week.
But the animals aren’t just there to look cute and attract visitors. Zoo staffers hope stories of these animals will inspire guests to advocate for wildlife conservation.
“Our vision is to have you have this wonderful experience gazing at these animals and then give you concrete, doable actions you can take to help them,” said Amy Gotliffe, the zoo’s director of conservation. Gotliffe encourages zoo visitors to join wildlife groups and ask their legislators to ban chemicals harmful to animals.
“We tried to develop a collection of animals that can really highlight the fact that California has great challenges,” said Joel Parrott, the zoo’s CEO.
“Each animal tells a different story, and in the end they’re all conservation success stories where someone has done something to make a difference. As these populations recover, it’s really amazing to tell the story of what people can do to make a difference and to save wildlife,” Parrott said.
Conservationists involved in the zoo’s efforts also hope the animals will breed over time.
American buffaloes, for example, are on a breeding reintroduction plan.
Though the zoo will receive only a single male jaguar this summer, it plans to bring in a female in the fall.
“If they like one another … they can breed,” said Chantal Burnett, assistant director of volunteer services.