Disney does animal behavior

This year, Disney's Earth Day series tells the story of a young chimpanzee, Oscar. While the cinematography is of course breathtaking, the soundtrack perfect, and the narration spot on, particularly for the younger set, the movie is an excellent study in animal behavior. There is some fantastic science waiting to be observed during the hour long film. Locomotion, feeding strategies, social interactions are just some of the well documented aspects of the movie. I had the good fortune to watch the movie with a theater full of K-4th grade students. As with any inclusion of media, there was preparation before (How do chimpanzees get around or what form of locomotion do they use? knuckle-walking.) and wrap-up afterwards. (What types of foods do chimpanzees eat? nuts, fruit, leaves, meat) Other discussions about grooming and social interactions, family units, etc. were heard around the school, along with the sounds of boys pounding on trees and tables, just like the alpha male, Freddy. A worthy addition to a school library when it is released on video.