The Early Years: Learning the Ropes
Jack got his first job when he was just eleven working for the family veterinarian, Dr. Roberts, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jack loved cleaning cages and being around all the animals. He worked with Dr. Roberts for several summers and developed a love and respect for animals.
After spending a few years at Kiski, a boarding school in Pennsylvania, Jack attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Jack met his wife, Suzi Egli, while they were at Muskingum, and they married in 1968.
the adventure begins
Soon after Jack and Suzi were married, they opened a pet shop, Pet Kingdom, in Knoxville. When Jack received an offer to direct a small zoo in Sanford, Florida, in 1973, the Hannas jumped at the opportunity. Jack and Suzi moved the family to Florida while Jack worked at the Central Florida Zoo from 1973 to 1975. In 1975, Jack had to take a break from the animal world because of an illness in the family. Jack missed working with animals – so in 1978, he answered an ad for a zoo director position in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1978, Jack was named director of the Columbus Zoo. When he first started at the Columbus Zoo, attendance was low, and the animal habitats were outdated. Jack made it his top priorities to improve the animal living spaces while working to increase attendance by offering educational and entertaining events. As a result of these programs, more and more people started visiting the zoo, and big improvements were made to the animal habitats as donations from the central Ohio community came in.
Media Blitz
In 1983, Jack was invited to appear on Good Morning America in New York City following the birth of baby twin gorillas at the Columbus Zoo. He eagerly accepted the invitation, knowing that this was an excellent opportunity to educate people across the nation about animals. Jack was a regular guest and wildlife correspondent for over 35 years.
In 1985, Jack appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman for the first time. Dave and Jack “hit it off” and he was a regular guest on the show until it ended in 2015. Jack and animal ambassador friends appeared on other shows, including Larry King Live, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hollywood Squares, The Maury Show, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News and CNN programs, and various other news programs (as a wildlife correspondent).
Rwanda: Jack’s Home Away from Home
In 1991, a gorilla zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo discussed starting a grass-roots project that would benefit mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Jack was immediately on board, and Partners In Conservation (PIC) was born – their work in Rwanda quickly became one of the Zoo’s signature conservation projects. Thanks to PIC, we’ve learned more over the past three decades than we could have imagined about mountain gorillas and what it takes to make a sustainable difference for them in the wild and for the people that live around them.
Jack and Suzi built a home in Rwanda, and they tried to visit every year until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The Hannas loved interacting with the local people and visiting the orphanage and school the Columbus Zoo helps support. And, of course, a trip to Rwanda wouldn’t be complete without hiking with the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains!
Going Into the Wild
In 1993, Jack began hosting Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, a nationally syndicated television series. After more than a decade with Animal Adventures, Jack created Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild in 2007. Jack and his family explored the corners of the globe and discovered amazing animals and cultures. The Hannas and the film crew, Remedy Television, were thrilled that Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild was awarded five Daytime Emmy Awards during its 13 seasons! The Into the Wild team went on its last film trip in 2019 – but you can still catch back-to-back episodes on the CW each weekend.
In 2011, Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown debuted. Wild Countdown highlighted Jack’s favorite experiences with the world’s rarest, most endearing animals and was broadcasted from his base camp at the Columbus Zoo. Wild Countdown aired on Saturday mornings around the country on ABC through 2020 and can still be found with Jack’s other shows on the Jack Hanna Channel.
The Columbus Zoo: 40 Years and Counting
Jack’s media appearances were taking up so much time that he could no longer manage the day-to-day matters of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In 1992, Jack became the Director Emeritus at the Zoo, a title he will hold forever.
Jack was so grateful to meet many leaders in the community who helped him raise money and transform the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium into the state-of-the-art park that it is today. The Columbus Zoo continued to grow with the additions of Zoombezi Bay (waterpark), The Wilds, and the Safari Golf Club.
One of Jack’s dreams came true in 2014 when Betty White graciously visited the Columbus Zoo for the opening of the Heart of Africa habitat – a vast 43-acre African savanna where visitors can feed giraffes, witness the speed of a cheetah firsthand, and watch wildebeest, antelopes, ostrich, and others mingle in the distance.
In July 2020, the Zoo opened its newest region, Adventure Cove, which includes Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village. The goal of Animal Encounters Village is to continue Jack’s work in inspiring guests to gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and be empowered to help make a difference for wildlife.
Family
The Hannas have been married for over 50 years and have three daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. And, of course, their family wouldn’t be complete without their golden retriever, Brass.