'The Jungle Book' director bags PETA US award

"The Jungle Book" director Jon Favreau has been feted with the PETA US award for using computer-generated imagery rather than relying on abused captive animals to create the film.

For "The Jungle Book", which releases in India on April 8, Favreau was tasked with bringing to life some of the most iconic animal characters ever seen on screen, from Baloo the bear to Shere Khan the tiger.

"It's amazing what they can do with (creating the appearance of) fur and live-flesh animals, and so every day I go into work it's astounding what these visual effects artists accomplish," Favreau said in a statement.

The result is a realistic yet mythical world filled with larger-than-life, anthropomorphic animals who live, breathe, fight, and flee amidst lively, lush scenery. And to congratulate as well as thank Favreau for his compassionate decision, PETA US is presenting the director with an Innovation in Film Award.

"Forward-thinking directors like Jon Favreau know that the future of film lies in technical wizardry, not in beating animals into performing," said Sachin Bangera, PETA India's associate director of celebrity and public relations.