California Trail at Oakland Zoo

About the Puzzle

We are thrilled to celebrate the resident species, habitat, and conservation stories of California Trail at Oakland Zoo. Zoo staff commissioned and guided the the art for this puzzle. The oil painting by Les Toil accurately captures characteristics of the animals and woodlands while maintaining the artist's signature retro charm. The puzzle is 16x20 inches and ribbon cut. 

10% of all sales go to Oakland Zoo. 

About California Trail

In July 2018, Oakland Zoo unveiled the California Trail exhibit, doubling the Zoo's size to 100 acres. This expansion introduced eight native California animal species, each chosen for their historical significance and conservation status, into some of the largest, expertly designed habitats. The California Trail goes beyond its stunning views and a scenic gondola ride; it tells the story of California’s history, human impact on nature, and the importance of preserving its remarkable biodiversity. The exhibit inspires visitors to connect with native wildlife and join the Zoo in Taking Action to protect the future of these species.

About the Artist

Brian Clarke, known professionally as Les Toil, is a commercial artist/illustrator from Berkeley, CA. From the beautifully illustrated editorial and advertising art of his parents’ era to the wonderfully rendered paperback book covers, movie posters and magazine illustrations of his own youth in the 1970s, Les absorbed all of the visual stimulants of pop culture he could get his eyes on and spent his adult life regurgitating it back out in gleeful reverence with the his own drawing and painting skills. 

Among the highs of Les Toil’s illustration career are seeing his art featured in major motion pictures, TV programs, graphic novels, popular novels, video games, and music videos. Also, two of his oil paintings were recently exhibited in the San Francisco De Young Museum.