Jack Hanna Bio, Career, Education, Book’s, Age, Wife and Net Worth

This article will answer every question you have about Jack Hanna. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about him.

1. What does Jack Hanna do for a living?
2. Who are Jack Hanna ’s parents and siblings?
3. What are Jack Hanna’s interests and hobbies?
4. Is Jack Hanna married ?
5. Does Jack Hanna have any children?
6. Where is Jack Hanna now?
7. How tall is Jack Hanna?
8. How much money does Jack Hanna earn?
9. What is Jack Hanna net worth?

N/B: Please read the entire post to have all your questions answered.

Who is  Jack Hanna ?

Jack Hanna is a American Zookeeper and a director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Jack was the director of the Zoo from 1978-1992, and he is seen as the most responsible for elevating its quality and reputation. His appearance on the media made him one of the notable animal expert in the United States

 Jack Hanna’s Career

Jack and his wife Suzi opened a pet shop and a petting zoo since they could not secure a zooning as a zoo in his fathers farm. In 1972, a 3 year old boy was mauled by a Lion in Hanna’s farm after he slipped and passed the protected barrier and stuck his arm and because of enclosure of the fence he lost his arm. However Jack managed to settle the Lawsuit out of the court, he later closed the petting zoo and moved his family to Florida.

In 1973, he worked for a Wildlife adventure company and directed the small Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden until 1975.  In 1978, he was offered a position at the Columbus Zoo and one of the main reason he accepted the offer was because he believed the National Children Hospital in Columbus had the best treatment for his daughter Julie’s who was suffering from Leukemia. At the age of six Jack’s daughter recovered, however she needed a Brain tumor removed later in life.

When he become the Zoo director, the place was unkempt and facilities run down. Hanna initially surprised many as Zoo director because he would often travel around the Zoo ground to a point of personally picking up trash. Jack realized the importance of keeping increasing the profile of the Columbus Zoo in central Ohio to get more public support and funding. Hanna proved to more suite to public relation for the zoo. In 1981 to 1983, Jack hosted a Local Television program which was known as ” Hanna’s Ark”. The show aired on the local CBS affiliate in Columbus, WBNS.

During his live animal demonstration on Good Morning America and David Letterman’s talk show incarnation brought national attention to both Columbus zoo and Hanna’s himself. During his tenure as a director of the  Zoo he made transition from cage-like enclosures to habitat environment and the grounds were entirely expanded. In his tenure the annual attendance of the Columbus Zoo increased by 400% and due his effort he was named as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 1992 when he was finishing tenure.

In 1989, he published his autobiography which was called, Monkey on the Interstate. Hannah has published more books for kids as well. Jack has been the host of the syndicated TV shows like, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventure from 1993-2008, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild since 2007 and also the Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown from 2011 to 2020. He also contribute commentary as an animal expert on various local and  national news programs. Jack has also made appearance on various show as a guest, shows such as Larry King , Live , Nancy Grace, Maury, and The Hollywood Square .

On September 25th,2005, he made an appearance at Blue’s Clues (season 5, episode 35, “Animal in our House “). In 1996, Jack was named as one of the “50 Beautiful People” , he also appeared in Neal McCoy’s 2005 music video for “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggle On “. In 1996 together with the Emmy-award winning musician Mark Frye, released an album which was titled Jack Hanna’s World through Virgin Record .

Jack was awarded a honorary doctorates from Muskingum University, Otterbein College, Capital University and Ohio University. On 19th, October, 2011, he assisted the Ohio police in tracing several escaped exotic animals near Zanesville, Ohio. He provided police with expertise in tracing animals such as, Lion, Wolves, Leopard, Bears and 18 tigers. In May 2018 during annual Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo, Hanna received the Tom Mankiewicsz Leadership Award for his great work in conservation of animals. In June 2020, Hanna announced his retirement from the Columbus Zoo effective at the end of the year.

Giraffe Euthanasia in Copenhagen Zoo

Jack Hanna highly criticized the euthanasia of the giraffe Marius in Copenhagen Zoo. He said the euthanasia can never happen in American Zoo , after he raised money to prevent a separate giraffe culling in Jyllands Park Zoo, which is also in Denmark. He claimed that he was willing to provide refuge including the transport for the giraffe. Later on the Jyllands Park Zoo said that the giraffe will no longer be put down to make room for a female giraffe.

Jack Hanna’s Education

Hanna attended The Kiski School, a boys boarding school in Saltsburg Pennsylvania , for high school and graduated in 1965. He later joined Muskingum College in New Concord , Ohio where he majored in business and political science. Jack got in trouble for keeping duck in his dorm room and a donkey in a shed behind his fraternity house. Hanna graduated in 1968.

Hanna’s Family

 Jack’s Parents

Hanna was born in Knoxiville, Tennessee, to Joan and Natile Hanna, he grew up in his father’s farm.

Hanna’s Wife and Children

Jack Hanna married Suzi Egli who was a cheerleader at Muskingum University in his senior yea. They have three children namely: Kathaleen Hanna, Julie Hanna and Suzanne Hanna.