June 24, 2004 Royal Oak, Mich.- From Animal Showboat to Animal Lifeboat, a documentary about animal welfare, debuts at the Detroit Zoo June 27, 2004. The 26-minute film narrated by actor James Earl Jones, takes an inside look at the lives of animals in the entertainment industry. It also reveals how zoological institutions, like the Detroit Zoological Institute are re-shaping public attitudes and values toward the humane treatment of animals. “This film may generate some debate about how many animal organizations collect and manage animals. We have a responsibility to constantly examine the way we treat and care for animals. The more we learn about animals the more our practices need to change,” states Ron Kagan, Director of the Detroit Zoological Institute and executive producer and co-writer of the film. The movie takes viewers on an emotional journey and a behind-the-scenes look at training methods, and conditions that animals must endure for the sake of entertainment. From frogs to elephants and whales, the film profiles lives of animals in circuses, rodeos, private collections, roadside zoos, and even accredited zoos and aquariums. “The Detroit Zoological Institute has exhibited tremendous leadership in making animal welfare a central focus of its mission,” states Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States. “The facility has blended animal rescue and rehabilitation with its general message of compassion and conservation. Every zoo and aquarium should demonstrate the same level of commitment to the ethical treatment of animals.” From Animal Showboat to Animal Lifeboat is the ninth in a series of films by ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING Sue Marx Films with the multi-award-winning creative team of Sue Marx, Char DeWolf, and Allyson Rockwell. This film is an initiative of The Madeline Berman Academy for Humane Education. The previous eight films are currently shown in the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and focus on zoos and their conservation efforts. From Animal Showboat to Animal Lifeboat will premier on WTVS Detroit Public Television on June 26 at 7 p.m. It will also be in rotation at the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery along with the eight other films during normal zoo hours for no additional fee. The film will also be available for view or download online at www.detroitzoo.org and will be made available to Detroit public schools and libraries. The Detroit Zoological Institute, founded in 1928, is committed to celebrating and saving wildlife. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Zoo is open year round with several indoor viewing areas. The Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696 in Royal Oak. Admission is $10.50 for adults 13 to 61; $8.50 for senior citizens 62 and older and for students ages 2 to 12; and children under two are free. The Detroit Zoological Institute is always looking for volunteers; if interested, please call Sue Kingsepp at (248) 541-5717. For more information call (248) 398-0900 or visit our web site at www.detroitzoo.org. MEDIA: Beta’s, VHS and DVDs are available upon request. ###
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