Jack Hanna to swoop into town
Well-known naturalist Jack Hanna has spent his lifetime sharing his deep love of animals with others. He's taken us to exotic places and given the public glimpses of unusual creatures and nature we might never have known existed otherwise.
Through his appearances on national television shows and in entertaining books, he's introduced millions to the chirp of the serval, the silent flight of the Eurasian eagle owl and the learning capacity of the savanna monitor.
Equipped with this new information, he hopes that while we've laughed a little, we've also learned a little tolerance, patience and empathy for these creatures with which we share this planet.
The director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium was in the media heavily last week as a spokesman and expert when 56 animals were set loose from the Muskingum County Animal Farm in Ohio by its owner, Terry Thompson, before he killed himself last Tuesday. Hanna defended the sheriff's decision to kill nearly 50 wild animals, including 18 rare Bengal tigers and 17 lions, but said the deaths of the Bengal tigers were especially tragic. There are only about 1,400 of the endangered cats left in the wild, he said.
Hanna was in Altoona, Pa., conducting a speech when the event occurred and rushed back to Ohio to help police track down the animals and bring them back to the Columbus Zoo. He was able to save six animals with Columbus Zoo staff and bring them to the zoo to live temporarily.
Hanna will be in Awendaw on Saturday as the special guest at two exclusive events that benefit the Avian Conservation Center/Center for Birds of Prey.
The facility provides medical care to injured birds of prey and shorebirds and studies the welfare of birds and their habitats to teach the public about environmental issues that affect birds and humans alike.
From a family-friendly event in the morning to an evening gala under the stars, locals will be able to get to know him, talk to him, ask questions and learn a little about the importance of conservation.
"I've been to a lot of centers around the country for birds of prey, both educational centers and rehabilitation centers, and this is one of the finest I've seen," Hanna said in a telephone interview. "It's in a phenomenal location with plenty of room for these birds as well. ... Bird life is such an important part of our ecosystem."
Studying birds keeps experts well-informed of the little nuances and slight environmental changes that could potentially have substantial implications for humans. The center studies more than 500 birds every year.
Hanna says the center is important to the Southeast not only because it is the largest bird rehab and hospital on the East Coast, but also because it is an oil spill-response facility. He is impressed with its ongoing education and conservation initiatives.
The crux of the center is to keep conservation on the top of everyone's minds, said Jim Elliott, executive director for the Center for Birds of Prey.
"We live fast-paced lives -- distracted lives -- and because the world around us moves and changes very rapidly, there is an ecological price that we pay for that. Natural resources are limited and fragile and subject to what we impose on them," Elliott said.
"It's something we need to monitor, and we do that through birds. Birds are environmentally sensitive and if there is a change in the system, it shows up very often first in birds, so they serve as unparalleled indicators of the overall health of the ecosystem."
Hanna, Elliott and others will perform flight demonstrations geared to educate people about some of the problems birds face in hopes of lessening the occurrences of them being intentionally or accidentally harmed by humans.
"It's the best bird show in the country," Hanna says.
The events will raise public awareness about the importance of raptors in the ecosystem, both in the Lowcountry and around the world, Elliott said.
If you go
'A Morning With Jack Hanna'
What: Families are invited to attend this exclusive opportunity to meet Jack Hanna and enjoy face-painting, view owl pellet dissections, go on a scavenger hunt and take a special raptor adventure. Lunch is included. Event presented by Half-Moon Outfitters.
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Where: The Center for Birds of Prey, 4872 Seewee Road, Awendaw.
Cost: $35 for adult; $25 for kids ages 6-12; free for children 5 and under.
More Info: Call 971-7474 or visit www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org.
For a chance to win tickets to "A Morning With Jack Hanna," CLICK HERE. Winners will be announced Wednesday.
'WILD at Wingswood'
What: The event features Jack and Suzi Hanna. This year, Jack Hanna has joined Charleston's own award-winning cookbook authors, Matt and Ted Lee, to plan an evening of food, specialty cocktails and flights and displays featuring the Center for Birds of Prey's avian ambassadors. Participating restaurants include Charleston Grill, Cypress, FIG, Husk, Peninsula Grill, Five Loaves, SNOB, Lucca and Hominy Grill.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Location: The Center for Birds of Prey, 4872 Seewee Road, Awendaw.
Cost: $150, includes pre-event VIP reception with Jack Hanna.
More Info: Call 971-7474 or visit www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org.
When to watch
Jack Hanna's "Wild Countdown" airs at 9 a.m. Saturdays on WCIV-TV.
Reach Shannon Brigham at 958-7393.
