Lions, tigers and an unbearable year at Jack Hanna’s zoo

By JULIE CARR SMYTH
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — It’s been a bear of a year for Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the nation’s second-largest zoological park. Famous zookeeper Jack Hanna’s retirement started in January. In March, a newspaper investigation found financial abuses by top zoo executives. Resignations and investigations followed. In April, a damning animal rights documentary featuring Hanna premiered. A day later, in timing they said was unrelated, his family announced Hanna has dementia and would retire from public life. In October, the zoo lost its main accreditation. Still, the president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums predicts incoming CEO Tom Schmid can bring the zoo “roaring back.”