Frank Buck Zoo

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Frank Buck Zoo Best Little Zoo in Texas! Connecting Visitors With Nature. Accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). Bringing Visitors Closer To Nature.

Limited number of VIP Flamingo Feedings available each day at 10:15 am. Feed vending machines at petting zoo to feed the goats require quarters. Experience a "giraffe's eye view" from our elevated walkway that surrounds our mixed species African savannah exhibit. Please visit our website for a full list of programs, camps, volunteer opportunities and community events.

10/22/2026

Good Morning! The Eastern Phoebe is a small, active tyrant flycatcher known for its distinct, raspy "fee-bee" song.

An Eastern Phoebe was the very first bird banded in North America, tagged with a silver thread by John James Audubon in 1804.

Who is joining us for Costume Strut? โ€œMartaโ€ will be making an appearance. Amanda caught โ€œMartaโ€ the spectacled owl enjo...
10/22/2026

Who is joining us for Costume Strut? โ€œMartaโ€ will be making an appearance.

Amanda caught โ€œMartaโ€ the spectacled owl enjoying her rope toy she received as enrichment to encourage exploration, manipulation, and physical engagement. ๐Ÿ“ท Amanda

Thank you GAF - Roofing volunteers for assisting us with getting ready for our annual Costume Strut this Saturday! Many ...
10/21/2026

Thank you GAF - Roofing volunteers for assisting us with getting ready for our annual Costume Strut this Saturday! Many hands make for lighter work. We appreciate you! ๐Ÿ“ท Cadyn

Todayโ€™s participants learned about โ€œRoseโ€ the Chilean rose haired tarantula. Why do our Animal Care specialists wear glo...
10/21/2026

Todayโ€™s participants learned about โ€œRoseโ€ the Chilean rose haired tarantula. Why do our Animal Care specialists wear gloves when handling her?
Two reasons:

#1 it gives โ€œRoseโ€ a place to anchor the hooks on her feet that allow her to walk/climb at extreme angles. It gives her secure footing.

#2 tarantulas have urticating hairs on their legs that many people may find irritating to their skin. Tarantulas only release these hairs when they are surprised, but we like to play it safe.

In Loving Memory of Cletis ๐ŸคIt is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of "Cletis", a camel who was exceptionally...
10/20/2026

In Loving Memory of Cletis ๐Ÿค
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of "Cletis", a camel who was exceptionally large not only in size, but in spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with his current care team (whom have cared for him collectively for 24 years) and his longtime companion "CJ" the donkey (who was his most effective mentor for nearly 20 years). May they be surrounded by extra kindness as they adjust to the loss of their friend.

Over the past 18 months, our Animal Care team, in consultation with veterinarians and nutritionist, thoughtfully adjusted Cletisโ€™s nutrition and daily routine to meet his changing needs. Despite their dedicated efforts, his discomfort could not be adequately relieved by medication. With his comfort and quality of life at the forefront, we said goodbye with heavy hearts.

"Cletis" helped train many aspiring Animal Care professionals along their career path. We are deeply grateful for the love, patience, dedication, and compassion shared with him throughout his life by so many. Especially Doug Baum of Texas Camel Corps who is so skilled at reading both camels and people.

Rest peacefully, Cletis. You were truly larger than life, and your presence will be deeply missed. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. ๐Ÿค

๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‘ป ONLY 5 MORE DAYS UNTIL FRANK BUCK ZOOโ€™S COSTUME STRUT! ๐Ÿฆ‡๐ŸฌGet those costumes ready and bring the whole family for a mo...
10/19/2026

๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‘ป ONLY 5 MORE DAYS UNTIL FRANK BUCK ZOOโ€™S COSTUME STRUT! ๐Ÿฆ‡๐Ÿฌ

Get those costumes ready and bring the whole family for a morning of Halloween fun! ๐Ÿงก

๐ŸŽญ Strut your stuff! Show off your family-friendly costumes as you make your way through the zoo!

๐Ÿญ Trick-or-Treat! Visit local businesses who help make this spooktacular event possible!

๐Ÿ“… Saturday, October 24, 2026
โฐ 10:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM

Our gates open at 10 AM, so come ready for a morning full of costumes, candy, and family fun! We canโ€™t wait to see all your spooky, silly, and creative costumes! ๐Ÿ•ท๏ธ๐Ÿ•ธ๏ธ

๐ŸŽ‰Another Huge thank you to our sponsors!!
Returning Sponsors:
Gainesville Fire Department
Gainesville Police Association
NCTC
Kiwanis Aktion Club

New Sponsors:
Trident Process Systems
First United Bank
D&L Farm and Home

Tag your friends and make plans to join us! ๐Ÿ‘‡

Sunday 10/18 Interpretive schedule. Chats are included with admission. Encounters are paid experiences. Advanced reserva...
10/18/2026

Sunday 10/18 Interpretive schedule. Chats are included with admission. Encounters are paid experiences. Advanced reservations recommended.

10:15AM: Rabbit Chat โ€“ Gazebo
10:15AM: Flamingo Encounter (4 available)
10:30AM: Giraffe Encounter (walk up)
11:30AM: Clouded Leopard Chat
11:30AM: Capybara Encounter (2 available)
1:00PM: Gibbon Chat
1:00PM: Birthday Party (reserved)
1:30PM: Mini Horse Encounter (4 available)
1:30PM: Capybara Encounter (4 available)

๐ŸŽ‰ Happy Birthday to โ€œMingโ€ the Reeves muntjac. As she enters her senior years. We hope to celebrate many more birthdays ...
10/16/2026

๐ŸŽ‰ Happy Birthday to โ€œMingโ€ the Reeves muntjac. As she enters her senior years. We hope to celebrate many more birthdays with this special deer๐ŸŒฑ

While they mostly browse on leaves, shoots, bark, and fallen fruit, muntjacs are unusually omnivorous for deer, occasionally eating eggs, carrion, and small animals.

Muntjac aka Barking deer are considered the oldest living deer family, with fossil evidence showing their ancestors roamed Europe and Asia 15 to 35 million years ago.
๐Ÿ“ท Brianna

Limited number of festive Fall bundles available. ๐ŸŽƒ $ SAVINGS AT THE FRANK BUCK ZOO! ๐ŸŽƒEach bundle includes: ๐ŸŽจ A Frank Bu...
10/16/2026

Limited number of festive Fall bundles available. ๐ŸŽƒ $ SAVINGS AT THE FRANK BUCK ZOO! ๐ŸŽƒ

Each bundle includes:
๐ŸŽจ A Frank Buck Zoo coloring book
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Crayons
๐Ÿ’€ Sugar Skull Palm Pal
๐ŸŠ A sheet of fun gator tattoos

โœจ Originally $26.98
๐ŸŽƒ Now Only $20.00
๐Ÿท๏ธโ€” save $6.98!

These boo-tiful bundles are perfect for the littles! Stop by and grab yours while supplies last!

10/15/2026

Spotted a pair of kestrels while mowing the wildlife preserve area being developed.

The American kestrel is North America's smallest falcon. Around Cooke County and the Texoma region, kestrels can be seen perched on fence posts, utility wires, and roadside signs, scanning open fields for prey.
Despite their small size, kestrels are skilled predators with the speed, eyesight, and hooked beak of a true falcon.

Address

1000 W California Street
Gainesville, TX
76240

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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