Jack Hanna, flamingo stuck in turnstile - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 09-18-2007, 12:16 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Animal expert Jack Hanna and an 11-month-old flamingo became trapped while trying to squeeze through an airport security turnstile. It took firefighters to finally get the flamingo out.

Hanna, the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and a frequent guest on nationally televised talk shows, was returning from a zoo fundraiser with a mongoose, a small leopard and the flamingo. Three other people were with them.

The entourage arrived at the Ohio State University Airport just after midnight Sunday to find the terminal closed. The only way to leave the tarmac was through a 10-foot-tall metal turnstile with several horizontal bars — not the easiest exit to squeeze through when you're traveling with boxed-up animals, Hanna said.

"I never thought about the crate being square and the turnstile being round," he said.

Hanna, 60, pushed the flamingo's 2-foot-by-3-foot compartment into the turnstile, then continued pushing while straddling the crate.

"I was stuck like a worm. My eyes were as big as grapefruits," he said. "I can't describe the feeling in my stomach. I can't move up or down. The bars are on your face."

Hanna said he eventually squirmed free, leaving the flamingo still wedged inside and everyone else trapped on the tarmac. He then walked to a nearby fire station for help. It took three firefighters to hoist the flamingo's crate up and out of the turnstile, he said.

Columbus fire department logs show the firefighters arrived at the airport at 12:30 a.m. for a "flamingo rescue," spokeswoman Kelly McGuire said.

Hanna joked that the next time he flies through the airport, the biggest animal he'll bring is a gerbil.

dawsongirl · 09-18-2007, 12:24 AM

Oh my.

Ireneparalegal · 09-18-2007, 12:29 AM

ponytail · 09-18-2007, 06:36 AM

I would love to have seen that!

OH Nuts! · 09-18-2007, 08:12 AM

Interesting story. And the poor bird. You have to be so careful with exotic animals.

80sTrivia · 09-18-2007, 02:41 PM

I used to love watching Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures when I was a kid. Glad Jack and the flamingo made it out safe & sound!

catlover79 · 09-18-2007, 06:12 PM

I'm glad both Jack and the flamingo are OK, too. I'm sure this rescue must have been a sight to behold!

Ireneparalegal · 09-18-2007, 11:50 PM

Damn, I wish there were pics.

09-18-2007, 12:16 AM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Jack Hanna, flamingo stuck in turnstile COLUMBUS, Ohio - Animal expert Jack Hanna and an 11-month-old flamingo became trapped while trying to squeeze through an airport security turnstile. It took firefighters to finally get the flamingo out. Hanna, the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and a frequent guest on nationally televised talk shows, was returning from a zoo fundraiser with a mongoose, a small leopard and the flamingo. Three other people were with them. The entourage arrived at the Ohio State University Airport just after midnight Sunday to find the terminal closed. The only way to leave the tarmac was through a 10-foot-tall metal turnstile with several horizontal bars — not the easiest exit to squeeze through when you're traveling with boxed-up animals, Hanna said. "I never thought about the crate being square and the turnstile being round," he said. Hanna, 60, pushed the flamingo's 2-foot-by-3-foot compartment into the turnstile, then continued pushing while straddling the crate. "I was stuck like a worm. My eyes were as big as grapefruits," he said. "I can't describe the feeling in my stomach. I can't move up or down. The bars are on your face." Hanna said he eventually squirmed free, leaving the flamingo still wedged inside and everyone else trapped on the tarmac. He then walked to a nearby fire station for help. It took three firefighters to hoist the flamingo's crate up and out of the turnstile, he said. Columbus fire department logs show the firefighters arrived at the airport at 12:30 a.m. for a "flamingo rescue," spokeswoman Kelly McGuire said. Hanna joked that the next time he flies through the airport, the biggest animal he'll bring is a gerbil.
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09-18-2007, 12:29 AM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691
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09-18-2007, 02:41 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I used to love watching Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures when I was a kid. Glad Jack and the flamingo made it out safe & sound!
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

09-18-2007, 12:24 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Oh my.

09-18-2007, 06:36 AM	#4
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I would love to have seen that!

09-18-2007, 08:12 AM	#5
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Interesting story. And the poor bird. You have to be so careful with exotic animals.

09-18-2007, 06:12 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I'm glad both Jack and the flamingo are OK, too. I'm sure this rescue must have been a sight to behold!

09-18-2007, 11:50 PM	#8
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Damn, I wish there were pics.