Director Darren Aronofsky will be honoured by the Humane Society of the US for using computer-generated images instead of animals in this year’s biblical flood epic Noah, the animal-protection organisation said.

Known for his psychological films like ballet drama Black Swan, Aronofsky said the easiest and most humane way to show the biblical animal kingdom he envisioned was through visual effects.

“It was quickly apparent that working with live animals would be dangerous for them,” Aronofsky said in a statement. “It was also morally ambiguous considering we were making a film about the first naturalist, Noah, who saved and cared for all the varied species on the planet.”

It was quickly apparent that working with animals would be dangerous for them

Aronofsky, 45, will receive the Humane Society’s inaugural Humane Film-maker award at a benefit gala in New York next month.

The big-budget Noah, which earned mixed reviews from critics, has taken in $359.2 million at the global box office since its release in March.

The organisation said the film shows that animals can be a large part of entertainment production without risking their welfare.

The treatment and use of animals in film and television production has been a hot button topic in recent years.

The acclaimed HBO horse racing drama Luck was cancelled when three horses died after being injured during production.

A separate organisation, the American Humane Society, oversees animal use in US film and television production.