“The Jungle Book” Rhino RescueInspires Real Rhino Rescue Efforts (NAPSA)—Inspired by the rescue of an animated rhinoceros a who wasall but extinct, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment contacted the International Rhino Foundation to obtain rhinoceros facts and help spread awareness about the growing concerns surrounding the survival of rhinos aroundthe globe. The Disney Animation Re- search Library researchers made an astonishing discovery while transferring old drawings into their new digital files: a key char- acter developed by Walt Disney himself, who was almost lost to obscurity when he was deleted from the final version of “The Jun- gle Book.” The rhinoceros is named Rocky and he has not only been saved from extinction, but will be available for everyone to enjoy for generations to come because he stars in his own fea- turette, “The Lost Character: Rocky the Rhino,” included with this year’s Diamond Edition of “The Jungle Book,” which is avail- able for thefirst time ever on Bluray and Digital. Rocky’s likeness was based on a greater one-horned or Indian rhino. Walt described Rocky as a “loveable rhinoceros whois half blind and extremely dumb.” Rhinoceroses do have small brains compared to their large bodysize, so the story team stuck to the facts when Rocky wasreferred to as “marble-brained.” At the time, Rocky’s personality was givenlife through the voice of Frank Fon- taine. With Fontaine’s distinctive voice and the many volumes of developmental sketches, it seemed Rocky was on his way to becoming a star as part of “The Jungle Book”’s beloved animal ensemble. oat Yet in the final stages of production, Walt decided Rocky just wasn’t necessary to tell Moweli’s story. As Disney delved into Rocky’s “background,” it became evident that the prospects for real rhinos to be around for future genera- tions are not very good unless peo- ple act now. Thousands of years ago, the rhino population was diverse, widespread and abundant throughout much of the world. Disney Worldwide Conservation While committed institutions such as the International Rhino Foun- Fund has worked with the International Rhino Foundation for the past 20 years to help protect rhinos in the wild and raise awareness about the problems that they face, but morestill needs to be done. wide have had some successin protecting the bulk of the world’s Things You Can Do To Help Rhinos: Today, however, only five species survive in Africa and Asia (2014, www.rhinos.org). dation and dedicated people world- remaining rhinos, most populations remain threatened dueto the loss of their critical habitat and from poaching for their horns. Struggling but surviving rhino populations include the three Asian species: the Javan rhino (with no more than 44 in the wild), Sumatran rhino (no more than 100) and the greater one-horned rhino (approximately 3,300). Africa’s black rhino is also endangered, with a population ofjust over 5,000, and the white rhino, while the most numerous species with just over 20,000 remaining,is also the species most heavily impacted by poachers. eVisit and support the International Rhino Foundation (www.rhinos.org). Adopt a Rhino (www.rhinos. org/adopt-a-rhino). Share on Facebook and Twitter. Stay informed (www.rhinos. org/get-involved). Encourage children to share with teachers and othersat school. Watch the “Jungle Book” bonus feature and spread the word about the rhino problem. eLearn more about Disney’s conservation commitment at www.disney.com/conservation.
