Frank 'Bring 'Em Back Alive' Buck

Adventurer and Collector of Wild Animals

    The owner, Capt. Richard J. Walters, of the Miami Aquarium was close friends with adventurer, Frank Buck.  In spite of the aquarium primarily showcasing marine and aquatic life, it did have the facilities to house various animals for Frank Buck when they entered the country.  This would provide the animals time to adjust to the new surroundings before being shipped to their final destination within the United States.
    Walters first became acquainted with Buck when both produced and ran their individual exhibits at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair.  Walters had the hot air balloon demonstrations with public gondola rides and Buck’s monkey exhibit was ‘Jungle Camp’ on the Midway Boardwalk.  The Walters’ Miami Aquarium had opened up in 1928 and continued to be highly successful into the 1930s.
    A real American action hero was Buck, starting in the 1920s and his fame increased with his book, “Bring ‘Em Back Alive”, published in 1930, which highlighted his world adventures.  Buck always accompanied his animals on shipboard to America to be sure they were well treated, and refused to sell to anyone who did not have a flawless status for animal care.  He believed in protecting wildlife and conservation of all animals whether in zoos, circuses, side shows or aquariums.
    Learning how to build traps and snares in ways that prevented injury to the wild animals was one of Frank’s best skills.  He safely transported over 500 different mammals and 100,000 birds to American zoos.   Walters, also was very humane in the capture and care of the marine life he gathered for his aquarium.  Walters and Buck shared the same wildlife philosophy, so it was only natural they would become close friends and assist each other over the years.
    Frank Buck was considered the pioneer of modern era zoos.  True, there were many individuals back in Frank’s time (and even more in the 21st century) who thought the wild animals were not getting the most humane treatment, but he did what he felt was best for the animals at the time.
    After Frank’s early death in March 1950, a 25-acre zoo in Gainesville, Texas was named in his honor, “Frank Buck Zoo”.  It remains today one of the oldest zoos in Texas.

Written by:

Alice L. Luckhardt

Stuart, Florida

A researcher and freelance writer with published articles in various historical and genealogical magazines.

Email:  allgel@bellsouth.net