Zoologist & Television Host
Jim started his career with animals at John Hamlet’s Birds of Prey in Florida as a trainer and lecturer. Stints in Africa and South America studying the Harpy eagle gave him invaluable field experience. His first exposure to Marlin Perkins was in 1955 when he did a Zoo Parade television show that was filmed in Florida.
When Marlin transitioned from Zoo Parade to a new show called Wild Kingdom he called Jim to join him as co-host in 1963. Jim was involved with the Zoological Association of America and helped to design exhibits at Chehaw Zoo in Georgia.