We got a chance to hang out at the Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar, California, the place Disney animators visited to get their inspiration for some of Zootopia’s wild characters, including the world-famous Lola, the two-toed sloth (her real-life inspiration was sleeping during our visit).
Bald Eagle
We spoke to Jannine Chamorro about her work with the animals at the center; she told us the sloths and her favorite animals to watch and interact with. We talked a bit about the film Zootopia and her thoughts about it.
Jannine Chamorro
From the creators of Frozen and Big Hero 6 comes, Disney’s Zootopia, where we find the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia, a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything.
Lola the Sloth
Voice cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Alan Tudyk, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Raymond Persi, Katie Lowes, Jesse Corti, and John DiMaggio. Directed by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and co-directed by Jared Bush.
Jannine Chamorro holding a ten year-old small Fox
Zeus
Zootopia is a fun film— funny with an interesting twist. It also has a wonderful message: don’t let others keep you down, keep going forward, follow your dreams. Plus I think Judy Hopps may be small, but she kicks ASS!
The Wildlife Learning Center rescues wildlife and educates the public about the environment through onsite and outreach programs. Please go to their site and learn more about the wonderful work they do. And it’s a great outing for the family. Now you can listen in on our conversation.
In theaters on March 4 in 3D. Photos: ©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.
