LOS ANGELES -- The whale movie 'Free Willy,' the Paul McCartney song 'Looking For Changes' and episodes of the TV comedies 'The Simpsons' and 'Dinosaurs' were named winners Wednesday of the eighth annual Genesis Awards.
The awards are given by the Ark Trust, an animal rights organization, to entertainment and other media that raise awareness about animal issues.
In addition to 'Free Willy,' praised for its look at the ethics of holding marine mammals in zoos and parks, the organization recognized an episode of 'Dinosaurs' titled 'Charlene and Her Amazing Humans,' in which the roles of people and performing animals were reversed.
The episode of 'The Simpsons' chosen for an award had Bart Simpson and his sister Lisa upsetting their town's annual 'snake-whacking' festival.
The awards will be presented March 12 in Los Angeles in a ceremony being taped for television at a future date. Actress Brooke Shields and Olympic skating medalist Scott Hamilton are set to host.
Other Genesis Award recipients include:
--'Hard Copy' for two segments looking at people sho steal dogs and cats for animal research;
--'I Witness Video' for several animal-related stories, including one about a deer rescued by hunters and a program aimed at teaching poachers to respect wildlife;
--Sports Illustrated magazine, for its story on the increasing number of 'breakdowns' afflicting race horses;
--Lolita Ayala, a reporter with Televisa Mexico named to receive the Brigitte Bardot Award for her show 'Muchas Noticias,' which frequently exposes animal problems in Mexico.
--'Day One,' the ABC newsmagazine show, for Forrest Sawyer's report 'Panda Wars.'
The Ark Trust has designated Stanley Kramer's 1971 film 'Bless the Beasts and the Children' winner of its Film Classic Award.
