Unscripted: Jack Hanna regrets 1972 accident 

Only partially. It's his fault too! That may sound harsh to you but leaders ALWAYS own up to their part in things and that is what he is doing.

screw poor jack. he should have never had a killer like that around the hood.

@@doctormcboy5009, screw you! What about the parents that never taught their kid to stay off of other people's property? They are far more guilty!

No, his father was RIGHT, and it was to teach him when you are THE MAN, in charge, the buck stops with you. NO MATTER WHAT. Jack's a great man, this does not define him. I hope he is at peace in these final days. But I disagree with you ENTIRELY on this point. (Not everybody wins a trophy.)

@@barnhartequipmentbrentbarn5662 You can have the stupid trophy 🙄 personally, I don’t care what you believe. I expressed my sentiments & so did you. Fine. Goodbye

Maybe “it’s your fault” was a harsh way of expressing what happened. The father was trying to explain that, ultimately, it was Jack’s responsibility to prevent such accidents from occurring.

I remember that. I lived near here! I never attended, but I always found his exhibit to be nearest place, knowing that he basically worked there to some extent.

I'm glad you got to meet him. He's such a nice guy. I'm so sorry he's dealing with Alzheimer's now.

@@karenharris722 ~ Yes, when I heard the news, I was heartbroken for him and his wife/family. He's one of those few people who are just an all-around good person. I will always be grateful that I got to meet him and spend a little time getting to know him.

From your lips to God's ears! He has done so much for this world and has always been quick witted, now to know he has dementia - how sad. I am sure it's going to be very difficult for his loved ones, as well. Yes, may his good memories far outweigh the bad.

@@roseyannette2030 agreed. God bless him, he has done so much for animal awareness with especially endangered species I hope that he is able forget this event and live happily with all of his happy ones.

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@@aeptacon I don't think you understood that the OP posted that when it known he has Alzheimer's.

It most likely is.

It's her duty. She is glad to do it.

People don't realize how heart wrenching caregivers can be.

Thank you!

Even today when I parents going to be held responsible?!

truly take responsibility? Are you mental? He couldn't even CALL the family or the boy with apologies. Your ignorant comment only proves that if you are loved by the masses, you can do no wrong.

Amen!

First thing he thought was going into a secluded room was: "im not even going to sue" YIKES

@@joerivandeweyer3056 oh, stop. by this time he had already been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

@@watchgoose sorry completely forgot

@@watchgooseI don’t think he had been ‘diagnosed’ at THIS point, but in hindsight he is exhibiting signs of pre onset dementia in this video.

@@alanoranday4448 i don't see any signs of dementia in this video

He has a human side so it's not odd for him to feel remorse even if he wasn't responsible. It has nothing to do with being "guilted" into it.

it was his fault, how can you say it was not? it was his lion...you certainly do not need to own a lion to begin with...then it was his property and if it is physically possible for someone to get attacked by a fucking lion on your property then you have failed. it is for sure his fault.

@@AsTheWheelsTurn It was not his fault. Hanna’s Ark - where he housed lions, tigers and a few other exotic animals, was licensed and not open to the public. On that day, a mother and boy stopped to see the animals. Somehow, the boy made it through two barriers and reached toward the lion though a fence. It was the Mother's fault for not keeping track of her child.

So silly, it's like saying if a kid broke into your house through and window, unlocked your gun, and shot himself, it's your fault you didn't put bars on the windows. Stupid.

​@@AsTheWheelsTurn I'm so glad that we've only had to deal with these keyboard twits like yourself, for a relatively few years. What is it with numnuts like yourself, that make such bold proclamations, having zero credible knowledge of a particular event? Did you fail your own child and now are over compensating?

it was his fault....that doesnt make him a bad guy but the reality is it is is fault. people are so obsessed with not taking responsibility for anything these days , act as if it is something bad to just be like "yep ..this bad thing happened and it was my fault" to me that is honorable and the only thing you really can do in a situation like that. he didnt intentionally cause this accident but if it was possible for a child to get its arm ripped off by HIS lion then yes...yes indeed it was his fault.

@@AsTheWheelsTurn How about the Mother of the child taking some responsibility! The kid was in a place that was NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, made it through 2 barriers to get to that lion and then he stuck his arm through a fence. Seriously, it was the mother's fault for not keeping an eye on her child.

@@wickedmirage The parent was only partially responsible but his dad was correct, it WAS his fault. Leaders understand this.

@@Floridafanatic28 you talk about responsibility, but you forget the 1st person to look out for the boy was his mother. The kid was able to go in an area "that was NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, made it through 2 barriers to get to that lion and then he stuck his arm through a fence.". What are parks to do, give every visitor a bodyguard? Or may we assume that kids are being watched by parents?

@@AsTheWheelsTurn "people are so obsessed with not taking responsibility for anything these days" like some parents, you mean? you talk about responsibility, but you forget the 1st person to look out for the boy was his mother. The kid was able to go in an area "that was NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, made it through 2 barriers to get to that lion and then he stuck his arm through a fence.". What are parks to do, give every visitor a bodyguard? Or may we assume that kids are being watched by parents?

I agree, this is pitiful. He is still heartbroken. This is about the saddest thing ever. He didn’t ruin anyone’s life. It was an accident. Bless his heart.

Unfortunately, my mom is in the very late stages of Alzheimer's, and I don't expect her to live for many more months. I know there are other awful diseases, but Alzheimer's is cruel because of how it slowly (and surely) takes the life of the person who is suffering from the disease. When I heard Jack was diagnosed with Alzeimer's, I was very sad for him and his family.

@@mikes3827 My mother had Alzheimer's for six years. It's a cruel and tragic way to end one's life. She thought I was her only sister at the end.

yeah greatly put; he loved the ZOO.

Totally awful what his father did to him by blaming him 👎🏻

Amen, sister.

Jack I see when I watch the Jack Hanna show with his wife Suzie. I was a great exciting life for them both She is a wonderful lady and yes feel blessed my Mom got the same thing happened to her . We never put her in a home. Yeah God Bless he has his family yo care for him God bless he will be blessed 2 stay with them instead of some many people turn there back of there grand parent or there own parent . They took care of you fell blessed as the Lord above you or who ever never leaves parent is this shape take out of caring @lots of love you will take are of Jack @who ever needs care .Putting them in care from Adult home you are just putting there care on some on else @ it is so expensive not only that they deserve so much better the people don't care for them like a family member will . Have love a grace ❤️ love your parents always they did or they tried 2 do there best 4 you MY God shire the loving care you give back to your kin or family members always ❤️

The little girl might have hoped and dreamed she would get a letter. I wish you had replied.

Hanna’s Ark, where the accident happened, is where he housed lions, tigers and a few other exotic animals - some that he helped raise for the Knoxville Zoo. It was licensed and not open to the public. The boy made it through two barriers and reached toward the lion through a fence. Where the hell was the mother for any of that?

Totally the parents fault

That's an awful thing to say. There's no point trying to place blame on Jack or anyone else because it was obviously an accident that no one wanted to happen but it's rediculous and unkind to say it's the parents' fault. It's definitely not the parents' fault. But I'm sure Jack, the boy, the parents, members of staff, all spent their lives fighting off feelings of guilt and blaming themselves. There are other ways to be supportive of Jack without saying such a hurtful thing.

@@sdtn2220It’s definitely the parents’ fault, for not watching their child enough to keep him from getting through two barriers. Your child’s safety is your responsibility, especially when you take them around dangerous animals. I take my son to the Zoo every week and hold his hand, or have him strapped in his stroller, if he won’t listen to me and stand by my side. (He is a toddler)

@@Belle-ms4ud It is not. If you are housing dangerous animals and inviting guests on your property to see them, you have the responsibility of having adequate barriers. The 3 year-old slipped past one fence and then stuck his fingers through a chainlink fence. That is not an adequate barrier. I'm sure the parents assumed there were more effective barriers in place. That's a reasonable assumption as Jack himself thought the barriers couldn't be penetrated by children. I'm guessing the parents have spent their lives wishing they had been holding their 3 year-old's hand that day. I'm sure, Jack has speant his life wishing he had had a better barrier. There are lots of things a lot of people could have done differently to prevent the tragic accident. You can show compassion and mercy to one of them without villifying the other. That's great that you are a superior parent. I have a feeling though that a day will come, probably many days, where you will slip from being super mom and instead be a human mom and your child will get hurt under your watch. Hopefully not with as big as consequences as this family faced, but when that happens I hope you have more grace for yourself than you've shown this family who have been through hell already.

I’m confused why I can’t find info on this incident. Newspaper article from that time says he survived and they tried to reattach the arm. But he mentions death here….

They said the boy died 8 yrs ago...8 yrs before this interview

According to an article in USA Today, Matthew Ramsbottom, the boy Hanna still thinks about today, died in 2010 at age 41. But the loss of his arm did not hold him back in life, according to his younger brother Seth Ramsbottom, who lives in Knoxville. Matthew inspired others his entire life by playing soccer, football and racing mountain bikes with one arm, Seth said. He became a chef and moved to Wyoming to pursue his outdoor passions, including snowboarding. Seth said he never spoke to his older brother about how he lost his arm, and his family never talked about the incident. It wasn’t until about six years ago - after Matthew had died - that Seth’s dad talked to him about that day. And even in that conversation, Seth said, there was no hatred or resentment toward Hanna. “I have never heard anyone in my family say one bad word about Jack Hanna, ever,” Seth said. “My brother’s legacy is being an inspiring, fun-loving guy who other people wanted to be around. He never let his life be defined by losing an arm. Hell, I’ve watched Jack Hanna’s show over the years. It was an accident." stories.usatodaynetwork.com/jackhanna/jack-hanna-experienced-fascinating-adventures-well-hard-times/

@@wickedmirageThank you for sharing this 🥲

No.

when he's talking about it, Jack uses his hands to make notion, and I can just barely hear him say "his arm was shoved into the fence, which caused it to come off". I myself dont even know what he talking about leading up to that moment?? idk. I had the volume All the way up but guess not soon enuff. ... ha. story of my LIFE 🤦

The arm was through the chain link fence. I don't know if the shock made the child or someone pull him back from the lions grip and his arm was torn off by the fence but it sounds like the lion had his arm in his/her jaw. I think it's a terrible accident.