Sir David Attenborough hosting event in quest to publicise the plight of apes

Guests include Ian Redmond, who was responsible for teaching actress Sigourney Weaver to grunt like a gorilla for her role in the film Gorilla in the Mist.

The Hope 4 Apes event on 6 December is aimed at raising awareness of the continuing dangers to endangered and critically endangered species of the animal - which shares 96.4 per cent of our DNA - around the world.

Loss of habitat and the illegal pet trade is threatening many great apes, including the Sumatran orangutan. Sir David's introduction will be followed by speeches from guest speakers including Dr Jane Goodall DBE and Dr Jo Thompson.

Mr Redmond said: "The future does not bode well for the great apes of Africa, Borneo and Sumatra.

"It is vital that we keep issues of ape conservation in the public consciousness. Without urgent effective action, the evolutionary odyssey of our cousins will come to an abrupt end.

"The British public has always been hugely supportive of the great apes, but there can be an element of 'conservation fatigue'.

"There are glimmers of hope, but we have to maintain the energy of our conservation efforts."

Dr Goodall said: "It is 50 years since I began researching the Chimpanzees of Gombe and in that time apes right across Africa have become threatened by so many factors.

"Hope 4 Apes will give an insight to the current situation and show us all how our actions impact their world on a daily basis."

All funds raised from the event will go towards ape conservation projects.

Hope 4 Apes with David Attenborough will be held at The Lyceum Theatre in London on 6 December from 7pm.