Per the account of his spouse, Jack Hanna, the charismatic zoologist and television personality renowned for his role as the director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is currently in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease.
Hanna aged 76, received his diagnosis in October of this year. As reported by his wife Suzi and daughters Kathleen, Suzanne, and Julie, his condition has rapidly progressed from moderate to advanced. At present, Hanna can only remember his wife, his faithful dog Brassy, and his eldest daughter Kathleen.
Suzi, who has been married to Hanna since 1968, shared that the Jack people knew and loved is no longer present, but fragments of her husband still remain. She intends to cherish these fragments for as long as possible.
Suzanne mentioned that her father no longer recognizes her in any way, whether in person or over the phone. She believes this may be because she got married at a young age and moved away, resulting in less frequent interactions.
Celebrated for his appearances on talk shows that highlighted his cherished creatures, Hanna gained widespread recognition as a frequent invitee on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman during their heyday. Currently, his day-to-day schedule centers around a diverse assortment of medicines and a mid-morning stroll covering two miles with Suzi, granting her a comforting resemblance to their familiar bond.
Suzi expressed her desire to continue these walks for as long as possible, recalling the day when they received the official diagnosis and the subsequent struggle to hold on to the remaining pieces of Jack.
Speculating that her husband still exists somewhere within, Suzi emphasized the presence of those tender moments that captured the hearts of both her and the world. It’s undeniably difficult, with some days being particularly challenging. However, given the care he provided her throughout the years, she now feels responsible for returning the favor.
From 1978 to 1992, Hanna, also known as “Jungle Jack,” served as the director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He plans to retire from his conservation work later in 2020. Kathaleen tearfully recalled how difficult it was for her parents to leave their lives behind while initially concealing Hanna’s Alzheimer’s from the public eye.
Kathleen shared that her father would have continued working until his last breath if not for Alzheimer’s. The disease made him feel ashamed and terrified of the public discovering his condition.
She stressed the importance of sharing more information about Hanna’s health to support other families dealing with Alzheimer’s, as the illness can be overwhelming for everyone involved.
In Kathleen’s view, if their father’s story helps even one other family, it’s worth sharing. He dedicated his entire life to helping others and may not comprehend his current actions, but his impact persists.
Despite the havoc Hanna’s condition wreaks upon him, Suzi declined the assistance of home health care professionals, preferring to rely on her children when needed. Aware that their time together is uncertain, she focuses on living in the present rather than worrying about the challenging days ahead.
She expressed her determination to continue caring for her father as long as possible, emphasizing the importance of the river, the sun, Brassy, and their walks as the simple pleasures they still have.
In April 2021, Hanna’s children revealed their father’s condition in a letter posted by the Columbus Zoo on social media. They noted that his condition had deteriorated more rapidly in recent months than they had anticipated. Sadly, he is no longer able to participate in public life as before, where people from around the world watched, learned, and laughed alongside him.
In their letter, Hanna’s children highlighted their father’s dedication to wildlife conservation and education, which has been the core of his identity and achievements with