Opponents of the Oakland Zoo’s planned expansion into Knowland Park announced Tuesday that they are seeking a referendum to reverse a recent City Council action that paved the way for the $61 million project.
The Zoo intends to begin construction next year on the California Trails Project, which will include a gondola ride to a new exhibit featuring native Californian predators including grizzly bears, bison, jaguars and wolves.
Opponents, which include the Sierra Club, have countered that the expansion would fence off dozens of acres of public open space in Knowland Park, while failing to adequately protect the endangered Alameda whipsnake.
To get the referendum on the ballot, opponents, operating under the banner of Save Knowland Park, will have to collect more than 20,000 signatures from registered Oakland voters over the next 30 days.
