Federation News - Montana Matters

Jack Hanna Supports Montana Matters

Jack Hanna is an animal educator - television personality, wildlife correspondent, author, and zoologist well known around the world for his frequent appearances on television and the hosting of his own syndicated series, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. His most recent and popular syndicated series Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild began airing in October 2007.  In June 2008, the series was awarded an Emmy as an Outstanding Children’s Series.

 Jack has joined as a spokesperson for the Montana Matters joint project.

 Hanna, nicknamed “Jungle Jack”, is a former director of Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Over the course of Hanna’s tenure as director, the zoo made the transition from cage-like enclosures to habitat environments, and he transformed the zoo into a state-of-the-art park offering various wildlife education programs. Due to his busy schedule, Hanna stepped down from running the day-to-day operations of the zoo in 1992 and became its director emeritus.

 Hanna has also published several books, including the autobiographical Monkeys on the Interstate (1988) and the children’s book Let’s Go to the Petting Zoo with Jungle Jack (1991).  In September he released the children’s book Passport Into the Wild and in June, Jungle Jack’s Wackiest, Wildest, Weirdest Animals of the World.

 Between international excursions into the wild, Hanna and his wife, Suzi, spend much of their time at home in Montana, where he expects to retire soon. 

In addition to his television work, Hanna is on the board of directors for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and serves as the national spokesperson for A Special Wish Foundation. He also has received several honorary degrees for his work. Many others have followed in his television footsteps, such as the late Steve Irwin, promoting awareness about animals.

Jack openly encourages people to get involved with wildlife and conservation organizations.

 Speaking of Montana Matters, Jack said, “…as a resident of Montana, I cherish all of its natural wonders and believe they must be conserved. With the help of Montana Matters, the beauties and wildlife of “Big Sky” country will be conserved for years to come.”