Naturalist Jack Hanna returns to zoo for Banana Ball - Oct. 11

photo Jack Hanna

THE GUESTFrom humble beginnings working for a family veterinarian in his hometown of Knoxville, Jack Hanna has become one of the most recognizable faces in the field of wildlife conservation. In 1978, he became the director of the Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio. He held the position until his frequent media appearances made him step down, although he retains the title of director emeritus.Since the 1980s, he and his animal ambassadors have become recurring guests on TV talk shows hosted by David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres and Larry King, among others. His own syndicated TV series include "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures," "Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown" and three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild."

IF YOU GO• What: Banana Ball• When: 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11• Where: Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave.• Admission: $75 general admission; $150 VIP package, including meet-and-greet with Jack Hanna at 5:30 p.m. and preferred parking• Age requirement: 21 and older• Phone: 423-643-5703• Website: chattzoo.org/events/banana-ballTHE BANANA SPLITThe second annual Banana Split Ball is an alternative event for younger guests and families who wish to support the zoo but can't attend the Banana Ball later in the evening. From 2 to 4 p.m., guests receive zoo admission, animal encounters, face painting, treats and a special presentation by Banana Ball celebrity guest Jack Hanna. Tickets are $20 for adults and children.

In 1987, animal expert and TV host Jack Hanna visited the Chattanooga Zoo, which was just beginning a renaissance that would transform it from a dilapidated institution into a nationally accredited facility.

After giving a presentation about why zoos were important vehicles for raising awareness of conservation issues, Hanna offered fledgling Executive Director Dardenelle Long a statement of support that has stuck with her for almost a quarter century.

"He was so kind and encouraging, saying, 'You can make this better,'" Long recalls. "You don't get a chance to have someone like Jack Hanna tell you that very often. I was very blessed to meet him early on in my career because he's always been an inspiration and always will be."

Now entering her 30th year at the head of the Warner Park facility, Long has lived up to Hanna's optimistic prediction. The Chattanooga Zoo just received renewed accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and last year celebrated the opening of a new Deserts & Forests of the World environment.

This weekend, Long will welcome Hanna back to Chattanooga as the celebrity guest for the 14th annual Banana Ball, which she expects to attract about 500 guests and raise $100,000.

Saturday evening, Oct. 11, guests dressed in "safari chic" attire will be able to tour the zoo and attend a special presentation by Hanna while enjoying an open bar, catered dinner and music provided by Atlanta-based cover band The Voltage Brothers.

The largest annual fundraiser on the zoo's calendar, the Banana Ball is always a marquee event for the facility, Long says. This year's funds have been earmarked for the early stages of a new project that will bring in several species of African wildlife, including giraffes and possibly lions, which have been missing from the zoo's collection for decades.

"I think it's very appropriate and will take the zoo to that level that we can all be very proud of," Long says. "We're already proud of our zoo, but this will bring us an iconic animal that people are always looking for. They say, 'Where are the lions, the tigers, the giraffes, the zebras?' Well, we'll have two out of that important list."

With a projected cost of $6 million to $10 million, Long says the project will be the most expansive and expensive in the zoo's 77-year history and could require up to 18 months to complete once construction starts. The money from the Banana Ball will be used largely to fund the nine- to 12-month planning and design phase of the new expansion, she says.

The Banana Ball offers guests a chance to support the upkeep and upgrades to the zoo, but as an evening event, it also provides an opportunity to see the facility - and its inhabitants - in a new light.

"They come in the evening and dress up and have a cocktail and walk around the zoo," Long says. "It's a really different experience and a great way to cultivate new friends for the zoo. We've found it to be very successful in telling our story."

Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6205.

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