Dan's Papers - August 17, 2007 - Jungle Jack Hanna at WHBPAC

This Sunday, August 19, Jungle Jack Hanna will be bringing his live animal show to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. Typically a venue reserved for comedians and bands, WHBPAC invited Hanna and his animal friends to go wild. With a new television show and years of experience working and traveling with animals, Hanna's live show is sure to be a fun-filled event for the entire family.

Hanna began working with animals when he was eleven years old, in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. His first job was with a local veterinarian, Dr. Roberts. "I loved cleaning cages and just being around all the animals," Hanna recounts on his website. He continued working at the office several summers afterward, where he developed his lifelong love for animals.

Soon after graduating college with a degree in business, Hanna and his wife opened a pet shop, aptly named "Pet Kingdom," in Knoxville. However, he realized soon after that he wanted to work at a zoo and in 1973, he jumped at the opportunity when he was offered a position as director of a small zoo in Sanford, Florida.

After working at the zoo in Florida, Hanna took a break from working with animals, but his decision to return in 1978, as the Executive Director of the Columbus Zoo, was the beginning of his rise to fame. Hanna had a long run at the Columbus Zoo, working as the Executive Director from 1978 until 1992. When he first arrived at the zoo, attendance was very low and a lot of the facilities were outdated. Hanna came up with a plan to increase attendance by offering programs that were educational and entertaining. These programs helped bolster the zoo's attendance. By teaming up with community leaders, Hanna was able to transform the Columbus Zoo into the state-of-the-art facility it is today.

1983 was the year that started Hanna's television appearances and they snowballed from there. He was first invited to appear on "Good Morning America." Since that appearance, he has been back on the show numerous times and has become their wildlife correspondent. In 1985, Hanna appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and has been a frequent guest over the years. Hanna has also been featured as a wildlife correspondent on "Larry King Live" and has been on "Hollywood Squares," "The Maury Povich Show," "Entertainment Tonight," "Hannity & Colmes" and other news programs. Because of all of his television appearances, Hanna couldn't keep up with the demands at the Columbus Zoo and stepped down to the post of Director Emeritus. In 1993, he became the host of "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures," now a nationally syndicated television show. "Every week, we invite viewers to share in our adventures all over the world in the quest to learn about wildlife," he has said about his show.

Besides having his own television show, Hanna can also add author to his list of credits. In 1989, he wrote an autobiography titled Monkeys on the Interstate. He has also written numerous children's books, including Let's Go to the Petting Zoo with Jungle Jack, Jungle Jack Hanna's Safari Adventure, Jack Hanna's Ultimate Guide to Pets and What Zoo Keepers Do.

Hanna's new television show, "Into the Wild," allows viewers to see him traveling from one adventure to the next, from the planning stages to the actual experiences in the wild. Each episode will track Hanna and his team as they explore a different location. Some of the places he's traveled include Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Alaska's Glacier Bay, Panama and Costa Rica, among many others. He will bring unique, exotic animals to his show at WHBPAC and recount his amazing experiences from his adventures all over the world.

Although his own animals were his first love, Hanna is very active in the protection of animals from across the globe. He is a Professional Fellow of the American Zoo & Aquarium Association and a member of the Explorer's Club. He is also a supporter of Easter Seals, which helps people living with disabilities, The Leukemia Society and he also serves on the board of many educational institutions.

Hanna's appearance at WHBPAC guarantees laughs and awe for the entire family. Tickets cost $20, $35 or$50. For more information, call (631) 288-1500.