Jack Hanna Films Show at Big Cat Rescue

Thank you every one who made the Jack Hanna show a success. He loved the placeand said he will keep coming back to help support what we are all about. He said no where has he ever seen a place where the cats had so much room and such thoughtful planning for the cat's natural behaviors. He couldn't get over the soft gloss of their coats, the abundance of things for them to do and how content they all seem. He was amazed that you are all volunteers and how you come from such diversified walks of life. They may come back for more film footage before the final product is aired. The show called Jack Hanna's Wild Adventures aired on Sat. morning at 8:00 am (11:30 some places) on NBC April 29 and  May 6, 2000.  If you missed the program you can order it for $10.35 at www.junglestore.com and ask for Show #2165 Big Cat Rescue.  Jack's promotional description reads:  "In Tampa, more than 200 unwanted, abused or abandoned animals, most of them exotic cats, have it made for the rest of their lives at the sanctuary on Easy Street.  Jack finds out from the founder of Big Cat Rescue that caring for 23 species of cats, including Bengal Tigers, Barbary Lions, Leopards, Lynx, Ocelots and Caracals is a labor of love."  Thanks again for making this a huge success!  

We did lots of every day things the day Jack Hanna came to Big Cat Rescue.   We rescued a pair of cougars who were homeless as the result of a divorce. Big Cat Rescuers were on the road three days to pick them up and deliver them safely to Big Cat Rescue.  Here they are being unloaded by Jack Hanna, and Volunteers Jon McKinney, & Scott Lope while Carole Baskin looks on. 

Here he is with Volunteers, Scott Lope, Daniel Capiro, Victor Alonso,   Jon McKinney, Veterinarian Dr. Stacie Wadsworth and Carole Baskin releasing the rescued cougars, Cody and Missouri into their new Cat-A-Tats at Big Cat Rescue.  

At left is Volunteer Daniel Capiro with young African Leopard, Armani talking with Jack Hanna and Carole Baskin about the strength and agility of these beautiful cats.  (Big Cat Rescue does not allow contact with the big cats between guest or volunteers any longer)

At right, Jack Hanna participates in the Feeding Frenzy and hand feeds Sarabi the lioness, while Judah, the Barbary Lion     awaits his turn in the background.  Jack Hanna has raised 18 lions in the past. 

At left, Jack Hanna joins a school group on tour which is being led Big Cat Rescue's Educational Director.  They are stopped in front of Jumanji the black leopard.  Education is the key to Saving Cats in the Wild and our survival.

We also filmed a successful opossum release but don't have still photos available.  Jack Hanna was really smitten with our rare White Servals but they were being shy and we didn't get any film of him with these exceptional cats.   Jack Hanna was kind enough to sign autographs for all the Volunteers and to answer all of our questions.  We feel privileged to have had him spend this beautiful day with us and hope he will revisit whenever he's in town.

Here he is seen with Mocha the Bearcat, Might Joe the Ringtailed Lemur and Makia the Brown Lemur.  On January 21, 2000 Jack Hanna visited Big Cat Rescue and filmed an episode for his Saturday morning show called Jack Hanna's Wild Adventures.
Big Cat Rescue President, Jamie Veronica and Jack Hanna at Big Cat Rescue during film shoot.
Jack Hanna and Founder,  Carole Baskin break for a photo opportunity as the camera man tries to retrieve all of his equipment from the lemur and bearcat enclosure behind them.

Note:  We no longer allow contact with the cats here and haven't for quite some time.

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Big Cat Rescue is an educational sanctuary and a home for more than 100 big cats  12802 Easy St. Tampa, FL 33625 813.920.4130 Info@BigCatRescue.org