Title: Monkeys on the interstate
Subtitle: and other tales from America's favorite zookeeper
First published: 1989
Description: Jack Hanna braved tigers, white rhinos, a plane ride with a jaguar, mountain gorillas. and David Letterman to become America’s favorite zoo-keeper, and now in his long awaited book, he tells the wild, wise, and moving story of a life literally surrounded by animals.

No one loves animals the way Jack Hanna does. When he was a boy in Knoxville, Jack raised bluegills in the bathtub, and bought exotic animals through the mail. Soon he was living in a menagerie, and only when he tried to turn the barn into an elephant house did his family draw the line. In college--where his minature donkey became the school’s mascot--no one understood wny a football-playing bsiness major wanted to be a zoo director, but Jack stuck to his guns.

After startiong a pet shop and petting zoo, working for a wildlife adventure outfit, and directing a small florida zoo, Jack came to the rescue of the crumbling Columbus Zoo in 1978. Since then his incredible energy and love of animals have turned the zoo into an internationally famous, exemplary operation. At the same time, Jack has become something of a celebrity, if not hero: he appears on “Good Morning America” monthly, is one of David Letterman’s favorite guests, and travles to towns large and small across the country, lifting people’s spirits with his irresistible animals and infectious humor.

Jack Hanna’s life has been one long, wonderful adventure, and his remarkable autobiography tells it all. Leading a special police team into an abandoned house full of exotic deadly snakes or checking alligators and baby gorillas into swanky hotel rooms--where Jack goes, excitement’s sure to follow.

Jack combines James Herriot’s warmth with Dr. Dolittle’s whimsy and MONKEYS ON THE INTERSTATE will make it clear to the uninitated why the whole country has fallen in love with Jack Hanna.
Subjects: Zoo animals, Animals, Zoo keepers, Biography
Places: United States
People: Jack Hanna (1947-)