Animal Planet Joins Sigourney Weaver on an Emotional Journey to Africa Programming Highlights / Animal Planet Posted by RAD on Oct 16, 2006 - 04:35 PM The 1988 film Gorillas In the Mist immortalized the life of gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey. For the first time since the movie was made, Sigourney Weaver, who portrayed Fossey in the film, returns to Africa to revisit the mountain gorillas she befriended nearly 20 years ago. Premiering Wed., Nov. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/11 p.m. PT on Animal Planet, Gorillas Revisited with Sigourney Weaver follows the actress on her personal and emotional journey through the mountains of central Africa to discover how things have things changed for these primates since her last encounter with them. Narrated by Weaver, this compelling one-hour special recounts the struggles and triumphs of Fossey and her crusade to save the gorillas. With the help of archive footage and expert interviews, find out how the fabled mountain gorilla has fought its way back from the brink of extinction. Join Weaver as she discovers what more has been learned about gorilla behaviour since Fossey's death 20 years ago. Find out how Fossey's legacy and findings have lived on in the jungles of central Africa, for both the African primates and for those who study these magnificent creatures. Joined by experts from Fossey's Karisoke Research Centre, watch as Weaver treks into the Virunga Mountains of central Africa to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Of the 90,000 gorillas left in the tropical forests of equatorial Africa, only 700 mountain gorillas remain in the region bordered by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As Weaver approaches her old friends, she uses proper gorilla greetings and etiquette to learn more about social interaction between the groups of gorillas roaming the area. Next, join Weaver and the national park's warden on an anti-poaching patrol where snares are removed from the park and poachers are arrested. Then, watch as Weaver speaks to schoolchildren about the gorillas and the importance of wildlife conservation. Profoundly affected by her Academy Award®-nominated portrayal of Fossey and her experiences with the mountain gorillas, Weaver has campaigned for the preservation and protection of the primates for the last two decades. As the honorary chair for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI), Weaver has worked to raise awareness about conservation issues and the work of the DFGFI in Rwanda. This article is from CHANNEL CANADA   http://www.channelcanada.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://www.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1598