Oakland Zoo Expansion Adding Gondola System, Native California Animals

OAKLAND (KCBS) -- A multi-million dollar expansion is underway at the Oakland Zoo that will ultimately feature California native animals, and an urban gondola that will take people up a hill.

The platform for the gondola is already under construction. That system will lift 16 cabins carrying eight passengers each 1,800 feet up the hill, and be accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

"Part of the project is a new gondola system; an urban transportation system that's going from the lower zoo up to the new project," Oakland Zoo Chief Financial Officer Nik Dehejia told KCBS.

Dehejia said the California Trail Project is a major expansion of the zoo grounds.

"It's a 56-acre expansion of the zoo. It includes California native animals, Mountain Lions, Black Bears, and a lot more that's coming to the zoo in 2018," Dehejia said.

The zoo is putting on their annual 'Walk on the Wild Side' fundraiser for adults only on Saturday, June 25^th.

"We have 112 vendors from throughout the Bay Area; restaurants, wineries, breweries. People can come out in their animal prints and have fun," Dehejia said.

Tickets for the fundraiser can be bought at OaklandZoo.org, and the money will benefit zoo programs, including the California Trail Project.

Oakland