Did you know that you can help the world’s chimpanzee population simply by seeing a movie? The movie, Chimpanzee, which opens Friday, highlights the plight of chimpanzees, which are gravely endangered — 100 years ago, roughly 1 million chimpanzees lived in the lush rainforests of equatorial Africa. Today, only 1/10 of them remain, primarily due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. African ape populations are expected to decline by an additional 80% in the next 30-40 years.
Disney and Disneynature have teamed with the Jane Goodall Institute to bring this story to life, which is told through a curious and entertaining young chimp named Oscar and his triumphs and family bonds.
Disney founder Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife filmmaking, and Disneynature continues to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share wildlife stories in the hopes of inspiring and educating people about nature.
The Jane Goodall Institute has been working in Africa for almost 35 years and developed out of the research begun by Dr. Goodall in 1960. Said Dr. Jane Goodall:
Together, we can truly make a difference and are thrilled to have Disneynature join our efforts to protect chimpanzee habitats, care for orphaned chimpanzees in the Republic of Congo and educate a new generation of young people and connect them to nature
Here’s where you come in:
For every moviegoer who sees Chimpanzee during the film’s opening week (April 20-26, 2012), Disneynature will make a donation to JGI through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund in order to protect chimpanzees and their habitats, now and into the future.
Will you see Chimpanzee opening week? I will! Take the pledge by leaving a comment here.
Dr. Jane Goodall Photo: Stuart Clarke
Chimpanzee Photo: Disney
