'Jungle Jack' Hanna is one of the most respected ambassadors between the human and animal worlds. So you can trust him when he puts blueberries into your hands and asks you to feed an unfamiliar creature, right?

"They're very venomous," he tells me, just as the lil' guy's tongue is pressing against my finger tip.

"I'm joking! I'm joking!" he laughs, before I flew back on my stool.

The beloved zookeeper (and jokester!) was in town to kick off this month's annual Wild Days event at SeaWorld Orlando. His clearly not venomous friend was a binturong (or bearcat) that joined us on set.

"Throughout the park, they'll have different stations with different animals where folks can ask questions," he said, explaining how Wild Days works. "Some animals you'll be able to go like this [pets the bearcat]. Some, you won't... When you're this close, you have to admit, if I told you that was a bearcat or binturong and just showed you a picture, now you get to see the real creature. That's what Wild Days is all about."

He also introduced us to a laughing kookaburra.

"When you're in Australia and you're camping in those bushes, every once in a while, you hear this thing," he said, talking over the bird's loud "laughs." "Sometimes you'll laugh a lot, or it'll just drive you crazy.

Hanna got his start cleaning animals cages for a veterinarian. He later opened up a petting zoo. Then, he moved on to become the director of the Central Florida Zoo.

"Exactly. 1973, he recalled. "I went there because they only had 4 employees in the zoo on something that was as big as this stage here. They moved the park to where the new place is, which is gorgeous now. And then, of course, I came here to [SeaWorld]when it just first opened. Being from Tennessee, you think I'd ever seen a whale or a dolphin? No... I'll never forget as long as I ever lived what we saw. My wife started crying. I got a few tears in my eyes because I thought never in the world would I see a whale. That's what's so valuable about SeaWorld. They're the only ones in the world that do this. They touch the heart and teach the mind."

So what's next for Jungle Jack?

"That's a good question," he said. "I don't know, because I love what I do so much and I know that time is coming - I realize that. But I'm just not ready to - when you love something, my dad always taught me 3 words on our farm - hard work, enthusiasm. Love what you do, Jack. And that's what I do! I never get tired of what I do."

Meanwhile, here's a press release we got from SeaWorld detailing the remaining Wild Days weekend:

January 30-31: “Sea Rescue” Weekend

SeaWorld has rescued more than 27,000 animals over 50 years, and these amazing animal stories are featured weekly on the popular Saturday-morning ABC TV series “Sea Rescue.” Hear first-hand accounts of marine animal rescues, rehabilitations and returns by SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team, heroes and
partners featured on the show.

Every Wild Days Weekend Includes:

New “Ocean Discovery” killer whale presentation – Guests can learn more about killer whales, also called orcas, and other species of whales during a special educational show. This interactive, 30-minute presentation teaches guests about the animals’ adaptations, habitats and behavior. (Note: This special presentationis in addition to the popular “One Ocean” shows scheduled throughout the day.)

New “Inspiring Stories” pre-shows – The SeaWorld Animal Training Team has some of the most fascinating jobs in the world. Guests can learn what it takes to care for animals that call SeaWorld home and how caring for them has helped with the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals that need help. “Inspiring Stories” will take place at the beginning of three of the park’s popular shows: Blue Horizons, Pets Ahoy and Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High. Check park maps for times.

Meet the Animals – Throughout the park, even more trainers, educators and animal care staff are stationed to share information and stories about the animals in our care and provide up-close meet and greets, scheduled feedings and fun surprises. Check park maps for times and locations.

Explore Zones – More than 14 fun and interactive education stations can be discovered throughout the park, featuring games and hands-on experiences that teach guests about animals and what they can do to protect the wild world in their own lives. Check event guide for exclusive in-park experiences.

Wild Days is included with park admission. All feature shows take place at Nautilus Theater at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.