Hanna brings ‘Jungle’ to casino

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Frontier Publications, November 8, 2007

Jungle Jack Hanna, left, points to the sensors along the side of baby alligator which helps it pick up vibrations in the water from up to two miles away. In the 1960s, it was on the endangered species list, but now has come back to the point it’s becoming a problem. (photo by John Stuart/www.stuiephoto.com)

Have you ever been only a few yards away from a cheetah that wasn’t behind bars in a zoo? How about a snow leopard, an armadillo or an alligator?

And, what about a famous talk show guest that has delighted viewers of shows like David Letterman as he promotes animal conservation?

Anyone who had a ticket to the Bear’s Den Showroom at the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel on Sunday hit the jackpot with Jungle Jack Hanna.

The Bear’s Den was filled for two shows with young and older fans who were captivated from the moment Jungle Jack walked on stage and asked, “Y’all like animals?” Even though the cozy size of the Bear’s Den allowed even those in the back seats a good view, Hanna had a photographer on stage who projected close up views on the large screen at the back of the stage of all the various animals, birds and reptiles he brought to share. Deanna Hahn was brought from the audience for an even closer view. “I thought he was just joking,” said the North Tonawanda receptionist and bartender who likes animals (her family has three dogs, two cats, four birds and fish), but doesn’t like snakes. It wasn’t a snake, though, that Hanna put on her arm, but several Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Hahn murmured something about hoping one didn’t go up her sleeve. “I hope it doesn’t either,” Jungle Jack returned. Next up was a long rope-like object, that Hanna assured her wasn’t a snake, but a legless lizard. While she was distracted with that, one of his assistants came up behind her carrying a huge albino python. With the livestock removed, a rattled Hahn walked off stage, only to be met by giggles from the audience – a black hissing cockroach was still attached to the back of her pink jacket.

One of Hanna’s assistants displays a European barred owl. Hanna told his audience every continent in the world has a species of owl. The owl’s eyes are fixed in its skull, which is why it must turn its head to see to the side. (photo by John Stuart/www.stuiephoto.com)

Assistants, including Hanna’s daughter Julie, kept a steady stream of unusual or rare beasts displayed on the stage while Jungle Jack provided a constant patter of facts and stories of past experiences while the audience “oohed” and “aahed.”

Hanna’s presentation of various animals was interspersed with four videos, one showing him and his daughters watching rare mountain gorillas in Rwanda, one on a wealthy English woman who bought a preserve in Africa to try to save rhinos, one on black bears, and one of bloopers showing Hanna being spit on by a camel, having his hair eaten by a giraffe and being kissed by an orangutan.

After the show, Hanna signed autographs and posed for pictures with a long line of fans.

“He just seems like such a nice person,” one woman commented with a sigh.

For more information on Hanna and his work, go online at www.jackhanna.com.