The Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park has received criticism from protesters and environmental groups for the Zoo expansion project, the California Trail, which was approved by Oakland City Council in 2011.
Protesters such as Friends of Knowland Park are concerned that expansion of the zoo will fence out wildlife, such as mountain lions that use the parkland for hunting. Fire safety is also a concern due to the remote location of the new zoo exhibits.
Another issued raised by protesters was funding for zoo expansion.
In November 2011 the Oakland Zoo tried to pass its A1 measure asking for one dollar a month from homeowners to help feed the animals and for education programs.
The measure failed, with many people thinking taxpayers would fund zoo expansion. However, an unsolicited gift of a $1 million from an anonymous donor, distributed by the San Francisco Foundation, would be the big push of funding for the zoo to begin development of the expansion project.
The Oakland Zoo is planning to break ground on the California Trail project in 2014. The expansion will feature species of animals native to California, such as bison, mountain lions, tule elk, black bears, grey wolves, bald eagles and California condors. The biggest exhibit will include the grizzly bear, extinct in California since 1922.
The idea for the expansion, according to the Oakland Zoo website, is to interpret one of the great stories of change in California and emphasize mankind’s role in protecting the ecology of the San Francisco Bay Area. In preparation for the expansion, the zoo has also built a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, turned the old hospital into a biodiversity center, and restored the Arroyo Viejo Creek. and other areas of Knowland Park.
The Oakland Zoo has always been involved in the community, educating children and adults about animals and conservation. Programs such Zoo to Community and Zoo Mobiles bring in students and also go to schools with animals, striving to educate children about animals, conservation and sustainability.
The zoo has also been doing a conservation project titled Quarters for Conservation, where 25 cents out of every admission ticket allows customers to choose which conservation project receives the quarter.