Monkey World
Jim Cronin MBE was born and raised in the US and when he moved to England worked at various animal parks/zoos before co-founding Monkey World with long-time friend Jeremy Keeling in 1987. The pair leased an old pig farm and converted it into the sanctuary which now covers 65 acres. Jim's wife, Dr Alison Cronin, worked alongside Jim and is responsible for the day-to-running of the sanctuary, still nursing and feeding the animals herself. The position of Animal Director is held by Jeremy Keeling, who is also a hands-on member of staff.Production
''Monkey Business'' was produced by''Monkey Life''
''Monkey Life'', a follow-on series based on the work of Monkey World, was created in 2006 by Primate Planet Productions Ltd and was initially produced and directed by Athena Films before being taken-on wholly and produced in-house by Primate Planet Productions in 2008. Initially shown on Five and later on Pick in the UK, and on Animal Planet and other TV channels worldwide, ''Monkey Life'' has now completed thirteen seasons. The first season was narrated byAnimals
Chimpanzees
The chimpanzees are divided in four groups. Paddy's Group were the first chimpanzee group to form at Monkey World when it opened in 1987. The leader Paddy died in 2016 and was succeeded by his son Bart. The Bachelor Boys, an all-male group which formed in 1996 to take in male chimpanzees that did not fit into mixed sex groups. One of its most famous residents was named Charlie, rescued by Cronin from a beach photographer in Spain who was using the chimpanzee as a prop. Hananya's Group was formed in 1998 and was originally led by Charlie before his move to the Bachelor Boys. He was succeeded in 1999 by Rodney, who led the group until his death in 2004 and was succeeded by his second-in-command Hananya. The internal politics within these groups determine how long each male is leader. The Nursery Group led by Sally and Lulu took in chimpanzees that arrived at the park at a young age or were born at the park who had been rejected by their mothers and would care for them until they were old enough to join one of the adult groups. Sally died in 2018 and was succeeded by Bryan, one of her wards.Orangutans
Originally the only orangutans at the park were Amy (who had been at the park since it opened in 1987) and her mate Banghi (who arrived in 1988 fromOther primates
The other 14 species includeExternal links