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| Oscar forms an unlikely bond with Freddy in "Chimpanzee." Credit: Disneynature |
Reporting from Burbank, California April 25, 2012, Disney
has announced that due to great opening weekend for “Chimpanzee,” that they
will extend their benefit to the Jane Goodall Institute.
Disneynature’s newest True Life Adventure, “Chimpanzee” took
in $10.6 million during its’ opening weekend. For every moviegoer who saw “Chimpanzee”
during the first week of release, Disneynature gave a donation to the Jane
Goodall Institute through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The movie
proved so popular among audiences that Disneynature is extending the “See
Chimpanzee, save Chimpanzees” program through May 3, 2012.
“In theaters just five days, ‘Chimpanzee’ has already given
us a lot to celebrate,” said Alan Bergman, president, The Walt Disney Studios.
“Led by a young chimpanzee named Oscar, ‘Chimpanzee’ has won the hearts of
audiences nationwide. It’s because of that success that we decided to extend
our program with the Jane Goodall Institute.”
The news was well received by Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder
of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace. “We couldn’t be
happier to extend this collaboration to help the Jane Goodall Institute better
protect chimpanzees and the places they call home,” she said. “A film like
‘Chimpanzee’ helps spread the passion we have for these extraordinary beings, sharing
the truly relatable moments experienced by Oscar and his fellow chimpanzees in
a way that will hopefully inspire audiences to continue their support long
after the movie ends.”
