To the chagrin of local environmentalist groups, the Oakland Zoo continues its expansion project into Knowland Park, leaving many to wonder which entity, the zoo or environmental groups, is looking out for the best interests of the East Bay community at large.

The environmentalist groups, Friends of Knowland Park and the East Bay chapter of the California Native Plant Society, have raised concerns over the endangerment of wildlife in the park due to the Oakland Zoo’s construction plans. They are worried that plants such as the bristly leptosiphon or animals such as the endangered Alameda whipsnake may suffer irreparably from the expansion.

However, the Oakland Zoo maintains that it has made adequate provisions for the reduction of any environmental damage caused by the expansion as evident in the mitigated negative declaration it prepared in adherence with California environmental law.

The irony of the debate is that the Oakland Zoo, which has a mission of inspiring respect and stewardship of the natural world, is being accused by environmental groups of doing the opposite with its expansion plans.

Yet, if construction is going to continue, isn’t the Zoo one of the best institutions for caring for the native wildlife?

Granted, the environmental groups seem to raise legitimate conservationist concerns, but if the Zoo can address those concerns appropriately then it makes perfect sense for the expansion to continue.

However, that is the main point of contention.

Can the Oakland Zoo, amidst its concerns with construction, education programs, bringing revenue into the city of Oakland, hiring new employees, building an electric gondola, caring for animals in its veterinary hospital, and hundreds of other details, properly care for the brisly leptosiphon or Alameda whipsnake?

The answer seems to be yes according to the Zoo’s most recent environmental review document.

Still, the Zoo could do more to assuage the fears of what seem to be well-meaning environmentalists and the public.

One solution would be to create an interactive link on their website that tracks the state of the native plant and animal life within Knowland Park and keep the public informed on the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

In order to do that, the Zoo would have to be committed to monitoring the area and perhaps even actively help enhance the state of the native wildlife.

It seems somewhat unclear what the environmental groups’ ultimate intentions are. If they are, as accused, a bunch of NIMBYs (Not In My Own Back Yard) then their argument is moot; but if they are, as we’d like to believe, legitimately concerned for local plant and animal life then it is easier to put stock into their claims.

At this point with all the benefits the Oakland Zoo expansion has to offer to the community it looks like they are the winners.

It remains to be seen in the long run what the economic and environmental impacts of the expansion will really be, but for now the East Bay community should put their trust in the Oakland Zoo.