I had the great fortune of interacting many times with Jack Hanna over the years during my childhood through my father’s work with Busch Gardens in Tampa and later, SeaWorld in Orlando. He was always truly kind to me and curious about what I was up to and the things I had done since we last spoke. He would ask genuine questions of me and was sweet and kindhearted when he answered my questions of him. He would never ‘dumb’ down an answer regarding the animals I asked him about and (as you would see on his many tv shows) he was always enthusiastic when talking about them.
Once he did give me a short answer though. He may have been a little disappointed in me, too.
I was at the soft launch of the Discovery Cove Park in Orlando where you can swim with dolphins and drink daiquiri all day. The park had yet to open to the public and it was a day for employees and their families to test the water (as they say) and help work out the kinks. Jack and I talked throughout the morning until it became my turn to help ensure the dolphins were friendly to guests. I set my daiquiri down and suited up.
Kind of.
At the appointed hour he and I tread into the water and awaited my dolphin. Jack gave me some pointers and told me to do just one lap around the manmade lake as it was getting late in the day. He failed to mention that it was always a good idea to ensure bathing suits were on tight when swimming with sea creatures.
As my dolphin and I began our journey I felt the straps letting loose on my britches. The decision was easy. Do I let go and lose my chance to swim with the dolphin or ride on? Ride on I did! All the way around what felt like an exceptionally large pond, free as a bird with my bare moon gliding through the waves for all to see.
Including Mr. Jack Hanna.
I considered waving but I feared losing my grip and thought that just being a naked man in the pool would seem weird. Continuing my ride made more sense. Who wouldn’t? Especially with a belly full of daiquiris.
As we approached the finish line, I could see Jack waiting for me with a fish to feed my new best friend. He shook his head disapprovingly when he handed it to me and said it was best for me to reward the dolphin after what I had put her through.
She turned and promptly swam away. I think she even gave me some side-eye as she swam off.
I asked Jack if this was common and why would it just swim away. Don’t they expect a treat?
He said, “You and I both know why.”
He did not find the situation as hilarious as I did and for the record, my pants were on at this point… just bunched up around an ankle.
I watched his next couple of appearances on Letterman hoping my story would make the cut, but I think Jack left it behind in the pond for just me and the dolphin to remember.