Jack Hanna, liked animal professional, stepping away due to dementia

The own family of Jack Hanna announced Wednesday that the former Columbus Zoo director will now not have the ability to participate in public life after a dementia diagnosis.

 

Hanna’s family revealed the analysis in a letter published on social media Tuesday.
A adventure via Alzheimer’s

“docs have diagnosed our dad, Jack Hanna, with dementia, now believed to be Alzheimer’s ailment,” the letter study. “His circumstance has stepped forward much faster within the previous few months than any folks could have expected. alas, Dad is not capable to take part in public existence as he used to.”

Hanna, 74, become credited with making the Columbus Zoo nationally recognized in the course of his time as its director from 1978 to ’92, becoming a acquainted face on countrywide television inside the technique. He moved into an emeritus function before announcing his retirement on the give up of 2020.

Hanna turned into born in Tennessee and got here to Ohio in 1965 to attend Muskingum university. He met his spouse, Suzi, there, and they married in 1968.

In a news release announcing his retirement last 12 months, Hanna said, “Suzi and that i couldn’t be prouder to be part of the crucial Ohio network and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium own family. Our forty two years at the Columbus Zoo had been the quality of our lives—we’ve raised our daughters here and had the honour of revitalizing our Zoo along a first-rate group whilst being advocates for wildlife worldwide.”

Hanna became also the author of 15 books.

The analysis comes one day after information of a scandal regarding zoo management became public. A report confirmed that CEO Tom Stalf and CFO Greg Bell used their positions to wait enjoyment events and used zoo-owned belongings for private use, and that Stalf awarded a no-bid agreement that had enormous price overruns. each these days resigned their positions, and the research is ongoing.

here is the whole letter from the Hanna family:

    A Letter from the Hanna circle of relatives

    today, we attain out to share a few personal Hanna circle of relatives news. docs have recognized our dad, Jack Hanna, with dementia, now believed to be Alzheimer’s disorder. His circumstance has improved plenty faster in the previous couple of months than any people should have expected. regrettably, Dad is no longer able to take part in public lifestyles as he used to, wherein humans all over the global watched. learned and laughed alongside him.

    A passion for wildlife conservation and schooling has been on the core of who our dad is and the entirety he has achieved with the help of such a lot of. He has spent his existence connecting people and wildlife because he has always believed that having people see and experience animals is fundamental to attractive them in more impactful conservation efforts. He’s usually stated, “you need to touch the heart to educate the thoughts we realize that his infectious enthusiasm has touched many hearts and could remain his legacy.

    The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been a primary pan of our lives on the grounds that we moved to vital Ohio as young ladies in 1978. From day one, Dad endorsed for advanced wildlife habitats and targeted on connecting the community with animals. After he left his active control position as government Director in 1992, he continued to be a spokesperson for the zoo until his retirement remaining year.

    Dad engaged with thousands and thousands of households through his media appearances and weekly tv applications — together with Animal Adventures, Into the Wild and Wild Countdown. This allowed him to convey an remarkable degree of consciousness to the significance of worldwide conservation given the unrelenting pressures at the natural surroundings. to say that we're abundantly proud to be his daughters is an irony.

    Dad loves the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds and has remarkable appreciation for the hundreds of employees and volunteers, who work extraordinarily difficult each day to care for the animals and ensure an super enjoy for the families who go to. We share his dedication to the crucial Ohio network and could hold to help the Columbus Zoo and conservation efforts round the world.

    Our mom — Suzi — has been through his facet for 53 years in each corner of the sector. She remains his rock (and ours, too). we've got terrific admire and admiration for mom as we move thru no longer simplest this hard time with Dad, however additionally Julie’s continued existence-long demanding situations from her adolescence leukemia, as she is presently recuperating from essential surgical treatment.

    even as Dad’s health has deteriorated quickly, we can guarantee you that his brilliant humorousness continues to shine via. And yes — he nevertheless wears his khakis at domestic.

    To preserve everybody secure in light of COVID-19 regulations, we're requesting privateness, that is ironic given Dad’s love of interacting with human beings. we're thankful that the many hearts he’s touched over time are with him at some point of this journey, which gives us electricity.

    thanks, and we respect your knowledge — Kathaleen, Suzanne and Julie Hanna