The September 2003 questions at a glance:
• How many different species of tigers are there?
• What is the most endangered animal in the world?
• What kind of whales live in Australia?
• Besides Kathaleen, what do your other two daughters do?
• How long does a wild dog live compared to a domestic dog?
• Do you have information on koalas for me?
• Could you tell me about the beautiful red bird on your show?
• How long do female elephants carry their baby?
• What is the most dangerous experience you have ever had?
• What is a couscous?

Raptor, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
How many different species of tigers are there in the world today? Thanks for the help!
Raptor
P.S. My mom and I love watching your show on Saturdays!

Jack says:
Dear Raptor,
Thanks for watching the show. There are only five tiger subspecies in the world today and populations for all tigers are in threat. The largest tigers are the Amur or Siberian tigers and the smallest are the Sumatran tigers. The most critically endangered are the South China tigers and it is thought that only twenty or thirty may be remaining in the wild. The Bengal tiger is another subspecies which includes the white tiger, as the color is simply a variant of the Bengal tiger. The final subspecies is the Indochinese tiger which is slightly darker and smaller than the Bengal.
-- Jungle Jack

Leanne, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
I remember seeing you when you came to the Indiana State Museum. I also got your autograph. Well here’s my question: What is the most endangered animal in the world?
Thanks, Leanne

Jack says:
Dear Leanne -
The correct facts about the most endangered animals are always being updated. For the most up-to-date information, the best website is run by the IUCN and at www.redlist.org On that site you will find information about endangered and threatened animals all over the world. Good luck.
-- Jungle Jack

Joseph, age 10-15, asks:
Hey Jack,
What kind of whales live in Australia? Thanks.
Sincerely, Joseph

Jack says:
Dear Joseph,
Since many whales migrate, it depends on the time of year as to what whales you can spot. Australia is a very big continent and different types of whales can be found throughout the different coastlines. Some of the most common whales that people try to watch in Australia are humpbacks and southern right whales. There are also lots of different dolphins which can be spotted in Australia, including orcas, which are actually a member of the dolphin family.
-- Jungle Jack

Marsha, age 41-60, asks:
Dear Jack,
I read in your bio that you have 3 daughters yet Kathaleen is the only one we see. What do the other 2 do and are they involved in your work?
Thanks, Marsha

Jack says:
Dear Marsha,
Kathaleen is the eldest daughter, but my youngest daughter Julie also works with me at the Columbus Zoo. She works in the promotions department and gives speeches to local schools and clubs about animals and conservation. My middle daughter Suzanne lives in Cincinnati and has four children. When I am not working at the Columbus Zoo or traveling, I enjoy spending time with my daughters and my grandchildren. Thanks for your question.
-- Jungle Jack

Aggie, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
How long does a wild dog live compared to a domestic dog?
Aggie

Jack says:
Dear Aggie -
It is thought that wild dogs can live to about eleven years, but there is still a lot of research being done on them. Since they are very rare and difficult to find in the wild, there is still a lot we don't know about them yet. Thanks for your question.
-- Jungle Jack

Sara, age 21-30, asks:
Dear Jack,
Do you have information on koalas for me? I love them.
Sara

Jack says:
Dear Sara,
Koalas live in trees in eastern Australia and usually spend up to about twenty hours a day resting in tree branches. They feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus and have large powerful jaws and sharp teeth which help them tear at the leaves and branches. Some of the larger koalas can weigh about 24 pounds. Young koalas usually stay with their moms until they are about twelve months old.
-- Jungle Jack

Mary, over 60 years old, asks:
Dear Jack,
On your TV show there is a beautiful red macaw or some parrot, but you never say anything about the bird. Please tell me something about it. It’s a very pretty bird.
Thanks, Mary

Jack says:
Dear Mary,
I think you are referring to the beautiful scarlet macaw that lives at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. Scarlet macaws are endangered and often in threat due to the illegal pet trade. However, the main problem for macaws is habitat destruction, as the trees they live in are being cut down at an extraordinary rate. Macaws prefer to live high up in the tree canopy and like to be near water. They are quite large birds and grow to about 34 inches when measured from the head to the tip of the beautiful tail feathers. They live in isolated places in central and South America.
-- Jungle Jack

Mengxuan, age 10-15:
Dear Jack,
How long do female elephants carry their baby?
Thanks, Mengxuan

Jack says:
Dear Mengxuan,
Great question! Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal. They can carry their babies for 18-22 months. It is hard to imagine carrying a baby for almost two years!
-- Jungle Jack

Christina, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
I have watched your show since I was two years of age and I am your biggest fan. I was wondering in your line of work what is the most dangerous experience you have ever had?
Christina

Jack says:
Dear Christina,
Thanks so much for watching our show. I have had several exciting moments while filming with wild animals for the past 25 years, but I think the one moment which made my heart stop was during a filming trip in Africa. I think it was about 1989 when I was filming lions in East Africa and I was walking along a riverbed. I didn't realize a lioness was hiding in a bush next to me and she jumped out when I walked past. Luckily she ran the other way, but boy was I shocked when I looked next to me and saw a huge female lioness staring into my eyes!
-- Jungle Jack

Ron, age 41-60, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
What is a couscous?
Thanks, Ron

Jack says:
Dear Ron,
Cous Cous is a type of food similar in texture to soft rice, but I think you mean "cuscus" -- an animal which lives in Australia and New Guinea. It is a marsupial and lives high up in the trees. I think it looks a little like a cross between a monkey and a sloth.
-- Jungle Jack