About Us

About Animal Junction, Inc.

Animal Junction, Inc. is the teaching zoo that visits you! We educate through entertainment using exciting live animal shows. We enlighten audiences, while teaching respect and appreciation for exotic, unusual and amazing animals. Our programs inspire consciousness and passion for wildlife and the world around us. Our hands-on, interactive presentation can be customized to meet your individual needs. We always include interesting facts and stories about our animals.

All of our programs provide an exciting opportunity to experience and learn about animals and their importance in the world, and they are really taking off! We are now traveling around the country to present our programs. We were awarded the People's Choice Award for Best Children's Entertainment (Philadelphia Daily News) two years in a row and are working with wildlife expert Jack Hanna.

Animal Junction maintains membership with a number of organizations, including the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK), the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZAA), the Association of Professional Wildlife Educators (APWE), the International Reptile Conservation Foundation (IRCF), Bat Conservation International (BCI), the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABNA), the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC). We are also a member of several local organizations, such as the Philadelphia Herpetological Society (PHS), the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators (PAWR), the Philadelphia Zoo and the Churchville Nature Center.

Animal Junction, Inc. is privately owned, fully insured, and federally licensed by the USDA, and holds all of the required state permits for the animals it cares for. You can be assured that you are hiring wildlife professionals. We are a member of the Better Business Bureau, Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce (LBCCC) and Newtown Business and Professional Association (NBPA). Thanks to the sponsorship of wildlife educator Jack Hanna, Animal Junction was recently accepted as an institutional member of the American Association of Zookeepers and has been approved as an educational facility by the Zoological Association of America.

References are available upon request. We are also listed in CritterPlaces and PartyPop. Please visit our guest book to read about some of the exciting experiences that Animal Junction has provided.

• To learn more about our programs and fees, click here.
• To make a reservation, click here.

About Jungle Joe

Click on the links to see Joe's awards, pictures, and endorsements.

Animal Junction was founded by zookeeper and wildlife educator, Joe Fortunato, aka Jungle Joe, who saw the need for a professional wildlife education service in southeastern Pennsylvania that was fun, educational and affordable. In 2006, Joe sadly was forced to retire from his long and prosperous career as a law enforcement officer due to an injury he sustained in the line of duty. After surgery and months of physical therapy, Joe decided to trade his long and prosperous career as a police officer for his dream of turning a lifelong hobby into an educational experience for people of all ages to enjoy. He is now sworn to "protect and preserve."

Joe's experience includes more than 20 years of working extensively with exotic animals; he has volunteered at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and managed a large pet store chain for many years. He also incorporated his own exotic animal business named Creatures of Myth, Inc., which was located in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition, to continuously advancing his knowledge of exotic wildlife, Joe has conducted extensive research and studied in the latest procedures and technical advances by attending lectures and seminars, and by consulting outside professionals.

Joe began his career as a Philadelphia police officer in 1989 after graduating second in his police academy class. He was assigned to the 22nd and 35th Districts, where he was filmed by the infamous television series "COPS." He was later detailed to the Tactical Response Team (TRT) – a special unit that responded only to in-progress felony calls in high crime areas of the city.

In 1992, Joe moved to Broward County, Florida, to take advantage of the tropical climate and pursue his dream of setting up an exotic animal breeding facility. Joe continued his law enforcement profession by joining the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, where he served as a member of the F.L.P.D. Beach Patrol. He was also selected to serve as a member of the S.W.A.T. Team that provided the rare opportunity to train with elite Special Forces such as Delta Force, Navy Seals and GSG-9. During his career with F.L.P.D. Joe was deputized by the Department of Justice to support the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Joe returned to Pennsylvania in 1998, joining the Falls Township Police Department where he was selected to serve as member of S.W.A.T. and C.S.I. After September 11, 2001, Joe was selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist in homeland security and was designated as a Customs Officer.

During his career, Joe attended more than 100 law enforcement related training seminars throughout the country and received many instructor certifications, including chemical agents, rappel master and less lethal force. Many of these certifications were earned through federal agencies including the FBI, DEA and U.S. Secret Service.

Throughout his career, Joe received many commendations, citations and awards, including Police Officer of the Month, Fraternal Order of Police Award and U.S. Attorney’s Office Commendation for the arrest of a drug kingpin wanted for numerous homicides and the attempted murder of a police officer. Prior to his retirement Joe received a Certificate of Academic Accreditation from the Bucks County Police Chiefs Association for exemplifying the attributes of professionalism through education, accomplishment and service.

Now in his retirement, Joe has traded in his police officer badge for a new one: Jungle Joe – Pet Detective.