CALIFORNIA TRAIL PROGRESS

A black bear family arrives at the Oakland Zoo in preparation for the CA Trail opening

The Oakland Zoo is beginning to collect the native species that will populate the California Trail expansion when it opens next summer. In June, a mother bear and her three cubs arrived at the Zoo and will soon call the CA Trail home. The mother was set to be euthanized (per California Department of Fish and Wildlife policy) after injuring an elderly resident in Kern County, but as her cubs were not yet weaned, she was granted a temporary reprieve. When the Oakland Zoo requested to take all four bears, the CDFW relaxed their policy and decided not to euthanize. The family will be a part of the future black bear exhibit which will educate visitors about native species and human-wildlife issues.

Alyson Yarus

Edward Reifenstein

Janet Tam

Mike Owens