Ben Stiller has joked he's given up "dolphin soup" since making the Madagascar movies.

The comedian made the light-hearted remark while promoting Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.

The latest instalment in the animated franchise sees animals Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman join a circus in Europe.

"I don't love zoos; I've taken my kids to them but I saw that documentary a couple of years ago, The Cove, and that affected me in terms of knowing how these dolphins get into these dolphin parks. So I stopped supporting them," Ben told British newspaper The Guardian.

"It always does feel a little bit wrong when you see the animals in the cages at the zoo. And I don't have dolphin soup any more…"

Comedian Chris Rock also voices a part in the kids' animation movie. The star joked that the appeal of Madagascar can be likened to a McDonald's sandwich.

"(Madagascar 3 can be compared to) a Filet-o-Fish. Both are very reliable," Chris joked. "The one you order in France is pretty much the same one you'll get in Philadelphia."