New veterinary hospital opens at Oakland Zoo in California
Oakland Zoo has opened a new $10.5 million veterinary medical hospital, which is touted as the largest wild animal veterinary facility in Northern California.
The new wild animal veterinary facility is spread over 17,000-square foot, and replaces a previous 1, 600 square feet facility. It has opened above the main zoo.
The new veterinary hospital features off holding rooms specifically designed for small or large hoofed and aquatic animals. The facility offers a big operating room for large animals such as tigers, bears and lions and a small operating room for the tiniest lovebirds and meerkats. With additional space and resources, vet students from UC Davis will also be able to study zoological medicine at the zoo.
The building is LEED-certified and incorporates solar panels, extensive day lighting, renewable materials, water conservation and an electric vehicle charging station.
About 80% of the project was funded from private grants and donations, and 20% through bond measures. The facility which opened on 11 October will serve more than 660 animals at the zoo.
The veterinary hospital is the first phase of the zoo's long-term expansion plan, which includes an exhibit on California native species that is scheduled to open in 2015 in Knowland Park.
