The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium will welcome Jack Hanna and his animals to Harborside Event Center on Thursday, May 7, for Spring Fling 2009, its annual fund-raising dinner.

Jack Hanna is director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He and his exotic animals have been featured on national television shows such as the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Larry King Live and many others. He is the host of “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures,” the longest-running and most-watched syndicated wildlife show in the world. He recently won an Emmy for his TV series “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild.”

Spring Fling begins at 6 p.m. on May 7 with a Silent Auction. After a seated dinner, Jack Hanna will entertain and educate the audience at Harborside with his stories of adventure and his live animal guests.

Jungle Jack also will have a special presentation just for children – so bring the whole family for a night of fun and fund raising for the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium.

Adult tickets are $75 and children 6-12 years old are $25 and can be ordered by calling 239-275-3435. For more information, go to www.CalusaNature.org