Departing from the traditional zoo enclosure paradigm, Oakland Zoo is about to unveil its new expansion, which recreates the feeling of wild California.

Called the California Trail, and opening to the public on 12 July, the area boasts grey wolves, condors, cougars, black bears, grizzly bears, bald eagles, jaguar and buffalo – animals all native to or found living in the zoo’s home state. The zoo aims to educate people about California’s own natural world, including animals that are disappearing, to inspire them to protect and care for local wildlife and their habitats.

The 56-acre (23-hectare) expansion more than doubles the size of Oakland Zoo and “brings to life the rich natural history of California in a whole new way”. Visitors enter the US$70m (€60m, £53m) California Trail via a system of 24 open-air gondolas, taking a four-minute ride from the main zoo up into the hills. Here they encounter the visitor centre and a café/restaurant with huge windows and an observation deck offering panoramic views.

Visitors can explore the trails, where animals roam nearby, stopping to interact with multimedia installations to learn about the animals' stories, many of them rescued and unable to be returned to the wild.

“The California Trail at Oakland Zoo is unique. Beyond the gondola ride, spectacular views, and our many rescued animals in their expansive habitats, this is about inspiring people to connect with our state’s remarkable biodiversity and how to live with wildlife so we can protect their futures,” said Joel Parrott, president and CEO of Oakland Zoo and the Conservation Society of California.

Elsewhere in the complex, visitors can also experience the interactive California Conservation Habitarium, Conservation Action Tent, California Wilds! Playground and Clorox Overnight Experience, a ‘safari-style’ campground.

Oakland Zoo’s recent investments include a new veterinary hospital, which opened in 2012, a biodiversity centre in 2013 and the Condor Recovery Centre in 2014.

A recently opened expansion at Zoo Miami, Florida, called Mission Everglades similarly focuses on the wildlife and habitats nearby.