Animal and wildlife expert Jack Hanna, who found fame with his legendary appearances on late night television, has been diagnosed with dementia, according to a statement made by his family.
Doctors believe it is Alzheimer's disease, the family said, according to NBC News.
"His condition has progressed much faster in the last few months than any of us could have anticipated," the statement noted. "Sadly, Dad is no longer able to participate in public life as he used to, where people all over the world watched, learned and laughed alongside him."
Hanna made numerous appearances with his animals on daytime and late night television, including legendary stops on "The Tonight with Johnny Carson," "Late Night with David Letterman," and "Today."
This led to Hanna landing his own shows including "Animal Adventures," "Into the Wild," and "Wild Countdown."
The 74-year-old retired from serving as director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in December 2020, after being with the zoo for 42 years.
According to CNN, the Hannas assure that despite his diagnosis, their dad still hasn't lost his magnetic sense of humor.
"While Dad's health has deteriorated quickly, we can assure you that his great sense of humor continues to shine through. And yes - he still wears his khakis at home," the statement continued.
"To keep everyone safe in light of COVID-19 restrictions, we are asking for privacy, which is ironic given Dad's love of interacting with people. We are grateful that the many hearts he's touched over the years are with him during this journey, which gives us strength."
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