GAINESVILLE, Texas — Frank Buck Zoo, the public zoo operated by the City of Gainesville, is pursuing a conservation mission that would place the small North Texas facility alongside institutions with far larger footprints: a breeding program for the dama gazelle, a critically endangered antelope with fewer than 500 individuals believed to survive in the wild.
City officials have proposed expanding the zoo onto land south of Leonard Park, a move that would give the facility space to house a breeding population of the Sahelo-Saharan species. No vote or construction timeline has been set, but the proposal reflects a shift in how the zoo sees its purpose — from a local attraction to an active participant in species preservation.
The dama gazelle once ranged across the Sahara in herds of thousands. Hunting and habitat loss across Algeria, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sudan have reduced the wild population to a fraction of its historical range. Accredited zoo breeding programs are among the primary tools for maintaining a genetic reservoir outside the wild, and a Gainesville program would represent a concrete contribution to survival odds for one of the planet’s rarest large mammals.
Whether the expansion moves forward, Frank Buck Zoo is in its busiest stretch of the year. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last admission at 3 p.m.) at 1000 W. California Street, just west of downtown. Animal encounters this summer include a giraffe feeding deck open daily at 10:30 a.m. for $7 per person — no reservation needed — along with flamingo, capybara, and barn owl experiences available by advance reservation.
The zoo’s name honors Gainesville native Frank Buck, who became famous in the 1930s for capturing exotic animals alive for zoos and circuses with his motto “Bring ‘Em Back Alive.” A breeding program for one of the world’s most endangered gazelles would carry that spirit into a different era — one where bringing animals back means conservation, not collection.
The zoo is operated by the City of Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department. For encounter reservations, hours, and group rates, call 940-668-4539 or visit gainesville.tx.us. A complete summer visitor guide is available at Frank Buck Zoo summer guide.