Volume 3, No. 17. September 12,2003
AZA Report
Seizing
an opening
Jack Hanna had a tough act to follow.
Andean musicians, Japanese drummers and African dancers woke the crowd up for
Monday morning’s Opening Session and Ceremony of the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association’s 2003 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Mayor
Michael Coleman extolled his city (among the platitudes Columbus is ranked the
eighth best city for pets) and exhorted the delegates to spend money while in
his city. Then came Dewey Stokes, Franklin County commissioner.
“I’ve noted the theme of your conference, ‘Re:Connect with Wildlife,’
and that got me to thinking about tonight’s pub crawl” he said of
that evening’s scheduled social event. “I’m a little worried
for our local residents. I’ve met a few of you and I’m not sure what
to expect.” The joke brought appreciative applause from a group known for
following intensive work sessions with intensive socializing.
The morning’s key moment, unquestionably, was the keynote, given to the
audience of about 1,100 by a reluctant Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the
host Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and world-famous television star. In his latter
guise he has become a lightning rod of controversy. On one side, PETA-type objectors
demonize him because he represents zoos; on the other side, conservative animal
collection officials cringe at his penchant for taking animals on late night
talk shows and education outreach programs that include public handling of otherwise
wild species. Despite years of being in the public eye, Hanna was obviously
nervous at the AZA podium. “I probably worked harder on this speech than
on my television shows,” he said in an interview afterward.
In that speech, interspersed with videos of Columbus Zoo's outreach program
and clips from his own TV shows through the years, Hanna made no apologies for
his opinion that children should be allowed to lay hands on and otherwise experience
in their classrooms or hospital wards the wonders of wildlife. He also urged
the AZA delegates to intertwine entertainment into their conservation and education
missions because the first is the most effective way to get the general public
interested in and supportive of the last two. He set up an analogy with NASA.
“We don’t know 90 percent of what NASA does,” he told the audience.
“We don’t know all that they’re doing in research and satellite
development. What we do know is the space shuttle launches are cool to watch,
that space walks are like science fiction.
“One hundred and twenty-one million visitors come to our zoos each year.
Most understand the F word: fun.”
It wasn't so much what Hanna said as what he showed of himself throughout his
presentation. AZA Director Syd Butler, in presenting Hanna with a plaque of
appreciation, noted his passion for what he does and compassion for all he reaches.
And while, as Hanna said in the interview afterward, his ongoing television
and outreach programs are not intended to “reach the people in this room,”
he at least wanted the people in the room to, if not like him, to understand
him. “I expected people to walk out (during the speech),” he said.
No one did. Instead, upon ending his speech with a graceful benediction—“I
respect all you’ve done for the animal world; I hope I’ve earned your
respect as well”—the audience rose to a sustained standing ovation.
Hanna sat down trying to stifle tears. “I had a few tears in my eyes, I
admit it,” he said later. “To get a standing ovation from this group
was one of the great highlights of my life.”
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
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