Monterey Zoo makes more room for its wild things

“Eventually we’ll have a yellow brick path going up to that area,” said founder and animal trainer Charlie Sammut.

In August, the zoo’s four Bengal tigers — two males, two females — moved into a 12,000-square-foot playground with a 25-foot swimming hole and a waterfall, and viewing windows for visitors.

In late May, the zoo broke ground on a new home for its two cinnamon black bears.

Along the way he acquired or rescued big cats, smaller cats, elephants, primates, birds and what he lovingly calls “oddballs” — a hyena, capybara and aged kangaroo among them — that now total more than 180 creatures on his 51-acre Vision Quest ranch near the Gabilan Range.

Daily public tours at 1 p.m., $12 adult, $10 ages 14 and younger; elephant feeding $5 extra.

Private tours, day safaris and bed-and-breakfast stays also available; see website for details.