Television personality Jack Hanna attends G'Day USA: Australia Week 2008 at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Renowned naturalist Jack Hanna of the Columbus, Ohio, Zoological Gardens, holds two Bengal Tiger cubs that were born and bred in captivity during a ground breaking ceremony at the Dallas Zoo Monday morning, Feb. 9, 1998. The Dallas Zoo will be home to the new Exxon Endangered Tiger Exhibit, a $4.5 million state-of-the-art tiger facility. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Jack Hanna, left, and Deborah Gibson pose backstage at the 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, June 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
** FILE ** In this May 10, 2000 file photo, Nationally recognized animal expert Jack Hanna grabs the tusk of a black rhino after helping Busch Gardens Tampa Bay unveil plans for their newest attraction "Rhino Rally" in Tampa, Fla. David Letterman's producers like it when Jack Hanna's zoo animals run amok on the show because it's good for laughs. Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, recounts 25 years of television appearances in his new autobiography. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Jack Hanna poses with a penguin as he arrives at Safe Kids Day at Smashbox Studios on Sunday, April 24, 2016, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Television personality Jack Hanna attends G'Day USA: Australia Week 2008 at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
FILE - This file photo from March, 2009, shows Jack Hanna of the Columbus, Ohio, Zoo in New York City for a taping with David Letterman. The Ohio zoo is celebrating a No. 1 ranking with a new commercial all about getting rid of "number 2" _ the other kind. A cast, including Hanna, shovels and sweeps animal waste to lyrics such as "Lots of scoopin' all their poopin'" and "No more number 2." (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)
Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, has his hands full as he protects a CD recording from Kabul, a white Bengal tiger, in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday, April 11, 1996. The CD of contemporary instrumental music, inspired by Hanna's television wildlife specials, is to be released for sales this weekend. (AP Photo/Jack Kustron)
Deborah Gibson, left, and Jack Hanna arrive at the 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, June 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Deborah Gibson, from left, Jack Hanna and a guest arrive at the 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, June 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Jack Hanna poses backstage at the 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, June 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
FILE - Wildlife advocate Jack Hanna poses for a portrait with a snow leopard cub in New York on Oct. 12, 2015. The family of celebrity zookeeper and TV show host Jack Hanna said he's been diagnosed with dementia and will retire from public life. (Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP, file)
FILE - Wildlife advocate Jack Hanna poses for a portrait with a cheetah cub in New York on Oct. 12, 2015. The family of celebrity zookeeper and TV show host Jack Hanna said he's been diagnosed with dementia and will retire from public life. (Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP, file)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Celebrity zookeeper and animal TV show host Jack Hanna has been diagnosed with dementia and will retire from public life, his family said.
In a news release Wednesday, his family added that it’s believed he now has Alzheimer’s disease that has quickly progressed in the last few months.
The 74-year-old Hanna was director of the Columbus Zoo from 1978 to 1992 and still serves as its director emeritus.
“Dad advocated for improved wildlife habitats and focused on connecting the community with animals,” the statement signed by his three daughters said. Hanna continued to be a spokesperson for the Ohio zoo until he retired in 2020.
Hanna is also well-known for his live animal demonstrations on talk shows hosted by Johnny Carson, David Letterman and James Corden, increasing the profile of the Columbus Zoo and leading to massive attendance increases over the years.
Hanna, who always wore khakis on every television appearance and in photos, hosted the popular syndicated TV show “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures” from 1993 to 2008. He also hosted “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild,” which started in 2007, and “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown” until last year.
“While Dad’s health has deteriorated quickly, we can assure you that his great sense of humor continues to shine through,” the statement said. “And yes, he still wears his khakis at home.”
His family asked for privacy in light of COVID-19 restrictions.
“He has spent his life connecting people and wildlife because he has always believed that having people see and experience animals is key to engaging them in more impactful conversations,” his family said. “Even though Dad is no longer able to travel and work in the same way, we know that his infectious enthusiasm has touched many hearts and will continue to be his legacy.”
