Speaker: Jack Hanna

Cox Auditorium, AMB | February 27, 2012 @ 7:30PM
Sponsored by: Central Program Council, Issues Committee

In Jack’s Words…

I got my first job when I was eleven working for our family veterinarian, Dr. Roberts, in Knoxville, Tennessee. I spent a lot of time cleaning cages, but didn’t mind because I loved being around all the animals. I worked with Dr. Roberts for several summers, and developed a great respect for animals.

After spending a few years at Kiski, a boarding school in Pennsylvania, I attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. I met my wife, Suzi Egli, while we were at Muskingum College and we were married in 1968.

Soon after Suzi and I were married, we opened a pet shop, Pet Kingdom, in Knoxville. I loved working at the pet shop but I knew that I always wanted to work at a zoo. When I received an offer to direct a small zoo in Sanford, Florida in 1973, I jumped at the opportunity.  Suzi and I lived in Florida while I worked at the Central Florida Zoo from 1973 until 1975. In 1975, I had to take a break from the animal world because of an illness in my family. In 1978, I decided I missed working with animals and I answered an ad for a zoo director in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1978, I was named director of the Columbus Zoo.  When I first started at the Columbus Zoo, attendance was low and the animal habitats were outdated. My top priority was to increase attendance by offering educational and entertaining events – a goal that the zoo is still working to achieve today with the addition of a new show called Animals on Safari and the interactive Animal Encounters Village.  As a result of these and many other programs over the years, more and more people started visiting the zoo.

I was fortunate to meet many leaders in the community who helped me raise money to transform the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium into the state-of-the-art park that it is today.  The Columbus Zoo continues to grow with the additions of Zoombezi Bay (waterpark), Jungle Jack’s Landing, and the Safari Golf Club. The zoo’s newest expansion is the Polar Frontier region featuring brown bears, arctic fox and twin polar bears!

My media appearances were taking up so much time that I could no longer manage the day-to-day matters at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In 1992, I became the Director Emeritus at the Zoo, a job I still enjoy today.  Although I am traveling most days of the year, I still call Central Ohio home.

In 1993 I became the host of Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, a nationally syndicated television series.  After 10 plus years with Animal Adventures, I decided to start a new TV Series, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild. This unscripted and action-packed series began airing in October 2007. Be sure to tune in as my family and I explore the corners of the globe and discover amazing animals and cultures. I am thrilled to announce that in June 2008 Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Series!

Tickets must be reserved in advance to guarantee a seat.

Ticket outlets: knoxvilletickets.com or 865.656.4444 or toll free 877.995.9961
UT Student may get tickets at the Central Ticket Office or  call 865.974.3381

To learn more about Jack and his TV series visit jackhanna.com

Student ID is required for all events. For more information about these events or to arrange disability accommodations, contact the Office of Student @ 865.974.5455.