Post by The Australian National University

Disney have a knack for seamlessly blending humour and heart into their films, making for an entertaining, and often compelling, watch that appeals to both kids and adults alike. Their latest animated film, Hoppers, is a story about an animal lover called Mabel who implants her mind into an animatronic beaver robot so she can team up with the other beavers to help save the animals’ home from destruction. But, in true Disney fashion, the film is far more than a standard children’s movie. Rebecca Lynne Hendershott, a lecturer in Biological Anthropology at The Australian National University (ANU), says the film explores complex ethical and scientific themes and raises questions about animal rights. This includes exploring issues such as animals’ right to their native habitat and humans’ use of technology to make animal worlds more accessible, helping scientists interact with animals, better understand their social cues, and decipher how animals communicate with one another. Read more: quicklink.anu.edu.au/vrpy ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences