Jack Bushnell Hanna is a retired American zookeeper and media personality. He was director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from 1978 to 1992.

He was born on January 2, 1947. He has always cared for animals, in college he tried to get a donkey in his fraternity house. He owned a pet shop with his wife but had to close it down in 1972.

In 1978, he was offered the position of zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo, which he accepted. He is credited to increasing the profile of the Columbus Zoo by getting public support and funding.

In 1981, he launched a television show Hanna’s Ark which aired for three seasons. He made media appearances on television shows like Good Morning America and David Letterman’s Talk Show, this increased the zoo’s revenue by 400%.

Fig 1. Jack Hanna’s family

He has been outspoken against animal cruelty and putting animals to death instead they should offer the animals up for adoption.

Is Jack Hanna Still Alive or Dead?

In 2021, Jack Hanna announced he will be retiring from public appearances due to dementia. Hanna is alive but his daughters have stated that “his condition has progressed much faster in the last few months than any of us could have anticipated”.