By Sarah Kraybill

Inspired by the plight of his film’s über-gorilla, King Kong director Peter Jackson is backing efforts by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme to save Kong’s smaller, less fictional friends. The Independent reports that Jackson’s efforts include charity premieres of the film and plans for the King Kong DVD to include a documentary film about wild gorillas.

There are thought to be fewer than 1,000 gorillas left in the wild, and some folks predict that the species will become extinct within the next few decades.

Also, according to Jackson: Gorillas are truly amazing animals—without them there wouldn’t be entertainment like King Kong.

What? My entertainment is endangered? Where do I sign??

Syndicated from Grist.

Photo: The National Zoological Park