Animal Activists Cheer Jackson's "Kong"

\nTo coincide with the release of Peter Jackson's remake of \"King Kong,\" the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and its partners in the Chimpanzee Collaboratory sent an email to members praising Jackson's use of no real apes in the film.\n\nAs part of the \"No Reel Apes\" (get it... \"reel\" as in a film reel) campaign to end the use of apes in entertainment, the ALDF also sent a link to an animated spoof on Hollywood's use of great apes in film. (click here to see the spoof)\n\nThe ALDF statement, signed by Jocelyn Nickerson, Assistant to the President of the ALDF, said, \"Most people don't know the trauma and mistreatment young chimpanzees and other great apes suffer in the name of entertainment, or that many spend the next 50 or more years in deplorable conditions.\"\n\nThe Animal Legal Defense Fund and its partners in the Chimpanzee Collaboratory - including the famous primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall - work with humane organizations and Hollywood professionals (Pamela Anderson and Daryl Hannah were named) to challenge the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to make \"great movies without great apes.\"\n\nThe email also asked members (and friends/family/neighbors/co-workers/etc.) to \"Send a polite letter to the MPAA's President, Dan Glickman, asking for an end to the use of great apes in Hollywood.\"\n\nJackson's \"King Kong\" premiered Monday in New York City - a fitting venue considering NYC's long-held love of the big ape. It will see wide US and international release on December 14th. The film's cast includes Naomi Watts, Jack Black, and Adrien Brody. -- Shannon Nolley