New Adventures From the Wild Kingdom

Jim Fowler, the crocodile-wrestling co-host of television’s “Wild Kingdom,” visited the local zoo Friday during a public relations stop, and brought some of his animal friends.

True to form, the Burmese python was slimy, and the hedgehog quills felt like a hairbrush. The woodchuck sat on its hind legs busily munching carrots.

Dozens of children at the Santa Ana Zoo looked on with intense curiosity and a little fear. Most managed to pet--and in the case of one girl, kiss--the animals.

“When I was holding it [the snake], you could feel it straining its muscles on the bottom,” said Sasha Alderson, 11. “It got real tight.”

Four-year-old Mario Vega’s fascination with snakes was simpler: “They’re cool because they’re long.”

While the children, most of whom were too young to recognize Fowler, were busy with the animals, the adults were smitten with the Georgia native who grew up wrestling alligators.

Fowler, 65, filmed Mutual of Omaha’s widely-heralded “Wild Kingdom” animal show for more than 25 years, beginning in 1962. He also made numerous appearances with his animals on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. “I always watch him,” said Rita Bailey, 53, who had come from Huntington Beach to plant a kiss on Fowler’s cheek. “He’s fantastic.”

Huntington Beach park ranger Ralph Matthews, 38, said Fowler’s television show inspired him to pursue a career in environmentalism. “While [co-host] Marlin Perkins is sitting in his chair talking about insurance, he [Fowler] is out there wrestling crocodiles,” Matthews said.

Fun and games aside, Fowler stressed that his visit was an important way to promote environmentalism, especially among children.

“There’s a very, very important reason why people should continue to see these animals alive,” said Fowler. “There are a lot of people who are not connected to nature.”