“His condition has progressed much faster in the last few months than any of us could have anticipated,” said the statement signed by his three daughters. “Sadly, Dad is no longer able to participate in public life as he used to, where people all over the world watched, learned and laughed alongside him.” Since 1983, when twin baby gorillas were born at the Columbus Zoo and he was invited to be on Good Morning America, “Jungle Jack” Hanna became a fixture on television. In 1985, he first appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and would come back several times each year wowing and terrifying Letterman with all kinds of furry, feathered, scaly and slithering friends, from tigers to scorpions to snakes. He also made appearances on Larry King Live, Hollywood Squares, The Maury Show, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News, CNN and other shows as a wildlife correspondent. He always said that the animals he brought to TV were truly ambassadors to their cousins in the wilds and cared for by professionals. Hanna had fallen in love with animals early. His first job was working for his family’s veterinarian in Knoxville, Tennessee when he was 11. “I loved cleaning cages and being around all the animals. I worked with Dr. Roberts for several summers and developed a love and respect for animals,” he wrote on his website. And in his book, Jack Hanna, Monkeys on the Interstate: And Other Tales from Americas Favorite Zookeeper, he further explained, “If you can somehow enjoy cleaning out their cages, then you know you genuinely love animals.” After he married his wife, Suzi, they opened a pet shop, Pet Kingdom, in Knoxville. In 1978, after directing small zoos in Florida. He answered an ad for a zoo director in Columbus, Ohio. “From day one, Dad advocated for improved wildlife habitats and focused on connecting the community with animals,” wrote his three daughter in a statement. In fact, in 1992, after he left his active management role as the zoo’s executive director, Hanna remained a spokesperson for the zoo until his retirement last year. Devoted to educating people about animals and conservation, in 1993, he hosted the nationally syndicated series, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. Next he created the TV series, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, which won three Emmy awards. His most recent TV show was Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown, which showed the world’s rarest, most endearing animals. “To say that we are abundantly proud to be his daughters is an understatement,” wrote his daughters in the statement. “While Dad’s health has deteriorated quickly, we can assure you that his great sense of humor continues to shine through. We are grateful that the many hearts he’s touched over the years are with him during this journey, which gives us strength. And yes, he still wears his khakis at home.” Next, Take a Peek Inside the Columbus Zoo
