Jack Hanna

==Allegation of improper animal trading practices==

==Allegation of improper animal trading practices==

On April 6, 2021,<ref>Real Screen April 6, 2021 https://realscreen.com/2021/04/06/exclusive-cargo-takes-world-rights-to-michael-webbers-the-conservation-game/</ref><ref>Ed Hat Santa Barbara April 6, 2021 https://www.edhat.com/news/film-review-the-conservation-game</ref> filmmakers of an independent documentary, ''The Conservation Game'', alleged that the Columbus Zoo misrepresented where its ambassador animals had been acquired from or had been transferred to and that the zoo had been dealing with unaccredited private facilities that, in some cases, may not have provided appropriate animal care.<ref name=GameTies>{{Cite web |first1=Alissa |last1=Widman Neese |first2=Jennifer |last2=Smola Shaffer |title=Conservation Game documentary ties Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna to unchecked big cat trade|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2021/08/17/first-look-conservation-game-documentary/8149879002/|access-date=2021-12-03|website=The Columbus Dispatch|language=en-US}}</ref> The documentary directly connected Hanna to exploiting immunocompromised animal cubs, including snow leopards, with some of the cubs he used dying at early ages or disappearing from record, despite Hanna's assurances that the cats were healthy and safe.<ref name=GameTies/>

On April 6, 2021,<ref>Real Screen April 6, 2021 https://realscreen.com/2021/04/06/exclusive-cargo-takes-world-rights-to-michael-webbers-the-conservation-game/</ref><ref>Ed Hat Santa Barbara April 6, 2021 https://www.edhat.com/news/film-review-the-conservation-game</ref> filmmakers of an independent documentary, ''The Conservation Game'', alleged that the Columbus Zoo misrepresented where its ambassador animals had been acquired from or had been transferred to and that the zoo had been dealing with unaccredited private facilities that, in some cases, may not have provided appropriate animal care.<ref name=GameTies>{{Cite web |first1=Alissa |last1=Widman Neese |first2=Jennifer |last2=Smola Shaffer |title=Conservation Game documentary ties Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna to unchecked big cat trade|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2021/08/17/first-look-conservation-game-documentary/8149879002/|access-date=2021-12-03|website=The Columbus Dispatch|language=en-US}}</ref> The documentary alleged immunocompromised animals such as cubs, including snow leopards, with some of the cubs he used dying at early ages or disappearing from record, despite assurances that the cats were healthy and safe.<ref name=GameTies/>

Zoo officials responded to the documentary by cutting ties with most of the unaccredited private institutions named in the documentary. Former zoo official Suzi Rapp defended one of the private institutions, saying that the lack of certification of the facility does not necessarily indicate that the institution is not a good facility.<ref name=GameTies/> Columbus Zoo Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation [[Dr. Jan Ramler]] says the zoo no longer has relationships with those vendors or any vendors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-01 |title=Columbus Zoo acknowledges animal use issues raised in documentary |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-zoo/columbus-zoo-acknowledges-animal-use-issues-raised-in-documentary/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=NBC4 WCMH-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> “The film advocates for the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act now being considered in Congress,” a Zoo statement read. “The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium shares and applauds this goal.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-01 |title=Columbus Zoo acknowledges animal use issues raised in documentary |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-zoo/columbus-zoo-acknowledges-animal-use-issues-raised-in-documentary/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=NBC4 WCMH-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> Hanna's family released a statement saying they had not seen the documentary, could not speak for him, and could not consult him on the matter due to the effects of his dementia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smola|first1=Alissa Widman Neese and Jennifer|title=Columbus Zoo drops some animal vendors after Jack Hanna's inclusion in 'The Conservation Game' documentary|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/2021/07/01/columbus-zoos-jack-hanna-included-the-conservation-game/7819812002/|access-date=2021-12-03 |newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch |date=July 1, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Zoo officials responded to the documentary by cutting ties with most of the unaccredited private institutions named in the documentary. Former zoo official Suzi Rapp defended one of the private institutions, saying that the lack of certification of the facility does not necessarily indicate that the institution is not a good facility.<ref name=GameTies/> Columbus Zoo Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation [[Dr. Jan Ramler]] says the zoo no longer has relationships with those vendors or any vendors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-01 |title=Columbus Zoo acknowledges animal use issues raised in documentary |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-zoo/columbus-zoo-acknowledges-animal-use-issues-raised-in-documentary/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=NBC4 WCMH-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> “The film advocates for the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act now being considered in Congress,” a Zoo statement read. “The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium shares and applauds this goal.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-01 |title=Columbus Zoo acknowledges animal use issues raised in documentary |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-zoo/columbus-zoo-acknowledges-animal-use-issues-raised-in-documentary/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=NBC4 WCMH-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> Hanna's family released a statement saying they had not seen the documentary, could not speak for him, and could not consult him on the matter due to the effects of his dementia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smola|first1=Alissa Widman Neese and Jennifer|title=Columbus Zoo drops some animal vendors after Jack Hanna's inclusion in 'The Conservation Game' documentary|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/2021/07/01/columbus-zoos-jack-hanna-included-the-conservation-game/7819812002/|access-date=2021-12-03 |newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch |date=July 1, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>