The OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park is holding an opening celebration of its new Large Mammal Exhibit.
The celebration ran today from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and continues on Saturday, May 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The 2-acre habitat is the zoo’s largest expansion project to date and will house several large North American cats, including a pair of mountain lion cub sisters. As part of the weekend celebration, visitors will also have an opportunity to submit their naming suggestions for the kittens. The Large Mammal Exhibit will also house an adult mountain lion, a male mountain lion cub and an adult jaguar.
The Zoo’s new two-acre Exhibit, which features climbing platforms, a waterfall, and a bridge for the cats to cross overhead. The expansion, part of the Zoo’s 2013 General Development Plan, is designed to give patrons an up-close look at the animals living inside, while creating a comfortable and natural-looking environment for the large cats. The space is flexible and can be configured into four separate or connected areas.
The baby cubs, a pair of sisters, were apparently abandoned or orphaned near a Thousand Oaks, CA office park in November of 2021. Due to their young ages, it is not likely the cubs would survive in the wild and will remain at the OC Zoo.
“The OC Zoo has enriched our community for many years,” said Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Supervisor of the Third District. “At only $2 admission per person, visitors can view outdoor habitats and learn about local wildlife from past to present. The current expansion features new rescue animals, something people of all ages can enjoy —I look forward to visiting the exhibit with my family this spring.”
Special activities for people of all ages will be available along with fun giveaways. Admission to the OC Zoo is only $2 per person ages 3 years and over: children 2 and younger are free – but the celebration activities are free.
The OC Zoo traces its roots back to 1905 when red foxes were introduced in Irvine Regional Park, and a small collection of animals was added in 1920. The current, modern zoo officially opened in 1985. In late 2019, the zoo debuted a new entry plaza and restroom building, the first improvement outlined in the General Development Plan.
