Jack Hanna starts his day in the early afternoon by taking in the views of Flathead Lake from the deck of his home in Bigfork, Mont. on May 2, 2023. Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019. One symptom is sundown syndrome, which causes increased confusion in the evening resulting in staying up late. Jack’s wife, Suzi, says he frequently stays up until 3 or 4 a.m. and sleeps past noon.
For the past two years, he as lived in Montana. The Dispatch visited him there and talked to his family about what life is like now. You can read the full story here. Below is a look at Hanna's life through photos by Dispatch photographer Adam Cairns.
Suzi Hanna tries to rehearse with her husband, Jack, for a video recording of a happy birthday message to their granddaughter on May 2. Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019 and the family moved to their home in Bigfork, Mont. permanently a few years later, after his retirement from the Columbus Zoo.
Jack Hanna munches on grapes as part of his afternoon breakfast on May 2, 2023. Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019. Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019. One symptom is sundown syndrome, which causes increased confusion in the evening resulting in staying up late into the night.
Suzi Hanna tears up as she talks on the phone to her daughter back in Ohio. Her husband, Jack, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019 leaving Suzi as the primary caregiver. Their three daughters live in Ohio and England, but make frequent visits to the Bigfork, Mont. home.
Suzi Hanna tries to rehearse with her husband, Jack, for a video recording of a happy birthday message to their granddaughter on May 2. Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019 and the family moved to their home in Bigfork, Mont. permanently a couple years later, after his retirement from the Columbus Zoo.
As Jack Hanna eats breakfast at 2:30 p.m., his daughter, Kathaleen, who lives in England, sits with him at the table in their home in Bigfork, Mont. on May 2, 2023. Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in October 2019. One symptom is sundown syndrome, which causes increased confusion in the evening resulting in staying up late into the night.
Wearing a hat with a rhino logo from his Columbus Zoo days, Jack Hanna dozes off on the deck of his Bigfork, Mont. home on May 2.
Jack Hanna stands on the porch of a cabin on his farm in Bigfork, Mont. on May 1, 2023. Due to Jack’s declining health, the family put the farm on the market that day. Once always seen wearing khaki, Jack now mostly wears jeans and t-shirts in his life outside of the public eye.
Jack Hanna feeds carrots to the donkeys and alpaca on his farm in Bigfork, Mont. on May 1, 2023. Due to his declining health, the family put the farm on the market that day.
Jack Hanna stops to thank, pray for, or touch every tree he can reach as he takes his daily walk along the Bigfork Nature Trail near his Montana home on May 2.
Jack Hanna sits with his wife, Suzi, his service dog, Brassy, and his daughter, Kathaleen, alongside the Swan River as they take their daily walk along the Bigfork Nature Trail near his Montana home on May 2. Aside from his dog, as well as a couple of donkeys and alpaca on their nearby farm, Jack does not have much interaction with animals anymore.
Suzi and Jack Hanna take their daily walk along the Bigfork Nature Trail near their Montana home on May 2.
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
This year’s Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting marked a new era for the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett. It’s the investing legend’s first without his right-hand man, Charlie Munger.
The first electric vehicle I ever drove was a Tesla Roadster in 2011. It was with great anticipation that I slid behind the wheel of the 2025 Acura ZDX Type S. Sure, it's a midsize SUV, but it wears the Type S moniker, a name reserved only for the most fun-to-drive in the Acura stable. On launch, the ZDX will be available in A-Spec and Type S trims -- both of which come equipped with a 102 kWh battery.
