“His condition has progressed much faster in recent months than any of us could have anticipated,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, my father can no longer participate in public life as he did, where people around the world watched him, learned and laughed with him.”
“The Jungle” Jack Hanna and his animals have become a staple of late night and daytime television, thanks to his numerous appearances on shows such as “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” “Late Night with David Letterman,” and ” Today ”.
These appearances brought Hanna her own shows, including “Animal Adventures”, “Into the Wild” and “Wild Countdown”.
“The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been an important part of our lives since we moved to Central Ohio as young girls in 1978,” her daughters wrote in their statement. “From day one, my father advocated for the improvement of wildlife habitats and focused on connecting the community with animals. After leaving his active leadership role as executive director in 1992, he continued to be a spokesman for the garden. until his retirement last year. “
The statement paid tribute to his wife Suzi, who is “53 years old in every corner of the globe” and to Hanna’s love for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium community.
“While his father’s health has deteriorated rapidly, we can assure you that his great sense of humor continues to shine. And yes – he still wears his khakis at home,” the statement said. “In order to keep everyone safe in the light of COVID-19 restrictions, we demand privacy, which is ironic, given the father’s love of interacting with people. We are grateful that the many hearts he has touched over the years are with him during this journey, giving us strength. “