Jack Hanna's Into the Wild Season 5 Episode 4 Zoo to You
- November 15, 2011
In this episode of Jack Hanna's Into the Wild, titled "Zoo to You," Jack takes viewers on a journey exploring the various ways zoos are reaching out to communities beyond their physical borders. Throughout the episode, Jack visits three separate zoos, each with unique outreach programs and missions.
The first stop on Jack's adventure is the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida. Here, Jack meets with Steve Birnbaum, the director of Zooinversity at the zoo, which focuses on educational programs for students and teachers. Steve takes Jack on a tour of the zoo's facilities and shows him some of the animals used in their outreach programs, such as a red-tailed boa and a parrot. They also discuss the importance of educating the public about endangered species and their conservation efforts.
Next, Jack travels to the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. Here, he meets with Morley Nelson, a pioneer in raptor conservation and the founder of the Peregrine Fund. Jack learns how the center is using technology to reach and educate a wider audience about their birds of prey conservation efforts. He also gets up close and personal with several birds of prey, including an Andean condor and a Harris's hawk.
Finally, Jack heads to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio. Here, he meets with Mark Fisher, the director of facilities and sustainability, who takes him on a tour of the zoo's eco-friendly facilities, including their solar panels and water reclamation system. Jack also gets to witness firsthand one of the zoo's most successful outreach programs, the Zoo Troop, which brings animals to local schools and community events to educate children about wildlife conservation.
Throughout the episode, Jack emphasizes the importance of zoos reaching out and connecting with their communities. He cites education as the key to inspiring future generations to care about wildlife conservation and encourages viewers to get involved with their local zoos' programs.
Overall, "Zoo to You" showcases the innovative ways zoos are using technology and community outreach programs to educate the public about the importance of wildlife conservation. With engaging and educational content, this episode of Jack Hanna's Into the Wild is sure to inspire viewers to get involved with their local zoos and make a difference in their communities.