As an environmental conservationist, Jacobo Lacs serves as director of Zoologico del Istmo, S.A., a zoo and aviary located in Colon, Panama. The zoo is nestled along the Atlantic coast and is administered by the National Environmental Authority of Panama. Jacobo Lacs assists with the preservation of native wildlife, particularly birds. Through his help, the Zoologico del Istmo has rehabilitated injured birds or those taken by the National Environmental Authority. He has also successfully bred exotic birds and other animals at the zoo, and he recently received four tapirs with hopes to breed them.

In his spare time, Jaco enjoys the water and participates in snorkeling, free diving, and spear fishing. Over the last 25 years, he has fished in diverse locations including Thailand, Peru, and Indonesia. An avid traveler, Mr. Lacs has been to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Greece. He also enjoys foliage and prides himself on his palm tree collection and hybrid flowers. He maintains more than 5,000 plants and counts the Coryanthes orchid as his favorite flower.