One of the more interesting characters we have run across is Al Zaebst. He was brought to our attention when we found photos of him capturing an alligator in the Weeki Wachee River. His method was to stand up in the canoe and launch himself on to the back of the alligator (all while wearing loafers). I am sure it was quite a surprise for the alligator because once it reaches a decent size there is nothing in the river that would want to tangle with it.
In the late 1940s, Mr. Zaebst was capturing animals to place along the river in fenced habitats for his Aquatic Zoo at the Weeki Wachee park. He would take visitors on boat trips down the river from the springs where they could view the wildlife. He had captured a number of local wildlife including alligators and black bears along with exotic animals he had brought back from Africa. He would take trips to Africa and fund them by capturing animals and selling them to zoos and circuses.
He loved animals and was constantly around them. He had a pet baboon named Fanny that was often his companion. It was said that he was as comfortable around animals as he was around people.
His river safari attraction came to rival the mermaids in popularity. This led to a falling out with the owners of the park and Al Zaebst losing his Aquatic Zoo.
If you go to the Weeki Wachee Springs Park you can take a boat ride down river. Imagine how it looked with animals lining the banks in the days of Al Zaebst.
photography: floridamemory.com