Zooniacs are loose on the airwaves
Celebrating their second anniversary as an online radio show, Jungle Jack’s Zooniacs chart new territory as they report on animal antics in zoos across America.
The lively group includes Jeff Hyer, 12, Ross Michael “Rmi” Strauser, 14, Cooper Donahue, 14, Charlotte Mack, 13, and Myah Strauser, 11.
The Whitefish Zooniacs take children on Saturday adventures through interviews, animal facts, trivia, music and jokes.
A mainstay segment, the animal of the month, comes from the show’s namesake, animal expert and TV personality Jack Hanna. This month, Hanna highlighted the hairy-nosed wombat.
Among the features on the show are reports on new creatures and features at zoos from San Diego to New York City. During these tours, the young reporters get behind-the-scenes interviews with animal experts and zoologists.
In, February, the Zooniacs were invited to break the ice as one of the first groups to visit the new Calgary Zoo Penguin Plunge. That is featured in their anniversary show.
Myah Strauser particularly liked the exhibit.
“The new penguin habitat is amazing and the penguins are adorable,” Myah Strauser said. “They are definitely going to be a big draw for kids from all over.”
The group is planning another trip to Zoo Montana in Billings, according to producers Sue and Ross Strauser, who also are parents of Rmi and Myah.
“It’s Montana’s only zoo and it almost closed down after falling on hard times. We are hoping to make them a pet project to raise funds and awareness,” Sue Strauser said.
Jungle Jack’s Zooniacs began with a passion for animals, zoo architecture and an available radio studio.
Sue and Ross Strauser, owners and operators of www.bigvalleyradio.com, noticed their son, Rmi, cultivated a hobby around zoo architecture and the animals inhabiting them. He began building miniature models of zoos, detailed with animal exhibits using found objects and plastic animals.
His friend, Hyer, soon became involved. Together, they built a model combining elements from three actual zoos. The model filled the Strausers’ living room, wrapping around couches and furniture.
Ross Strauser decided to bring family friend Jack Hanna, who has a home near Bigfork, over to have a look. Hanna was impressed with the boys’ spirited devotion. Ross Strauser, realizing there wasn’t local programming “for kids by kids,” pitched the show.
Creating each episode takes dedication from members who are responsible for writing interview questions and conducting the interview. Myah Strauser and Mack said doing a radio show improves their public speaking skills and delivery.
“You learn to pronunciate and talk slowly,” Mack said, adding that she usually is a fast talker. “You also have to think on your feet and formulate ideas.”
Myah Strauser added: “Speaking in front of class is easier.”
Members also take photos, record and edit video. They posted a two-minute video of their Penguin Plunge experience on YouTube. Radio is a good place for people who otherwise have stage fright let their personalities shine behind the microphone. And their enthusiastic personalities make the show.
“It’s a lot of fun, you get to be yourself,” Donahue said.
Entering their third year, Jungle Jack’s Zooniacs are ready to roll with no plans on stopping.
“I think we should get together even when we’re 80 and go through a zoo together,” Mack quipped to the group.
Jungle Jack’s Zooniacs streams live 10 a.m. Saturdays at www.bigvalleyradio.com.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.