Wildlife expert and adventurer Jack Hanna is coming to Park City for a family-oriented live show that will feature some of the exotic animals he has encountered in travels around the globe.

Hanna may be best known for his appearances on "The Late Show With David Letterman" as well as a previously nationally syndicated program, "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures." Now the adventurer has a new television series called "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild" that airs Sundays at 8 a.m. on KSTU Channel 13.

Hanna also keeps busy taking his live show on the road to about 85 locations each year. This Saturday, he visits Park City.

"I love to talk to people about animals," he said in a telephone interview. "I hope to bring to them a greater appreciation of our earth and its wildlife."

Hanna just returned from Malaysia, where he was filming baby orangutans and cobras, among other things. Next, he's off to South Africa to film elephants and Great White sharks.

His live shows include appearances by animals as well as film clips of his adventures.

The video footage shows mountain gorillas in the wild, elephant orphanages and sea turtle rehabilitation centers.

Hanna said he emphasizes safety when dealing with wild animals.

His friend, Dawn Brancheau, recently died after being shaken by a killer whale at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla.

"A wild animal is like a loaded gun. It can go off at any time," Hanna said. "That's why you always have safety measures."

The animals he will bring to Park City include a lemur, a warthog, a camel, a kangaroo and a bald eagle, among others.

He travels with seven different sets of animals that come from zoos throughout the country.

Eccles Center director Teri Orr said Hanna's presentation makes for a great family outing.

"We just love the idea of an entertaining show with live animals and someone with a great conservation message," she said. "He really is a conservationist and he explains why it matters that we save these animals."

This will be the second time the Eccles Center has hosted Jungle Jack, an expert not only animals but their habitats, Orr noted. But he also is regarded as an entertaining, funny guy.

"He really knows how to captivate an audience," she said.

Hanna, 63, has had a long career with animals. After a stint at a small zoo in Sanford, Fla., he was named director of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio in 1978.

In 1983, he was invited to appear on "Good Morning America" in New York City after the birth of twin baby gorillas at the zoo.

"I eagerly accepted the invitation, knowing that it was a great opportunity to educate people across the nation about animals," he said.

He also has appeared on "Larry King Live" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," among others.

By 1992, his media appearances were taking up so much of his time that he could no longer keep up with the daily demands of managing of the Columbus Zoo. He now holds the title of zoo director emeritus.

"We respect these animals," he said. "And we dedicate our lives to them."

csmart@sltrib.com