Jump to content

Monkey World

Coordinates: 50°41′50″N 2°13′04″W / 50.697311°N 2.217725°W / 50.697311; -2.217725
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DennisGWhiskers (talk | contribs) at 13:16, 26 August 2011 (Gibbons). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Monkey World
Map
Date opened1987
LocationDorset, England
Land area65 acres (26.3 ha)
No. of animals222
No. of species16
Websitemonkeyworld.org

50°41′50″N 2°13′04″W / 50.697311°N 2.217725°W / 50.697311; -2.217725 Monkey World ( fully referred to as Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre) is a 65-acre (26.3 ha) ape and monkey sanctuary and rescue centre near Wool, Dorset, England. Set up in 1987 by the late Jim Cronin,[1] and later operated by both him and his wife Alison, it was originally intended to provide a home for abused chimpanzees used as props by Spanish beach photographers, but is now home to many different species of primates.

Monkey World works with foreign governments to stop the illegal smuggling of wild primates.

The facility made the news in January 2008 with what The Guardian called "the world's biggest rescue mission of its kind," when it saved 88 capuchin monkeys from a laboratory in Santiago, Chile, where some of the animals had been kept in solitary cages for up to 20 years.[2] The operation was carried out at the request of the laboratory, and with help from the Chilean Air Force, who flew the animals to Bournemouth airport with special permission from the British government.[3]

In August 2010 Monkey World rescued a Bornean Orang-utan called Oshine from Johannesburg, South Africa. On December 7, 2010 Monkey World rescued an orphan baby Sumatran Orang-utan called Silvestre from a zoo in Spain. In January 2011, Monkey World rescued a chimpanzee named Kiki from Lebanon.[4]

Foundation

This thriving sanctuary was founded by Jim Cronin in 1987. He got inspired to build the sanctuary for which would home rescued primates, after Spain leased a legislation which banned the use of chimpanzees as props by photographers on beaches or any other resort. The photographers would acquire the chimpanzees from the wild after they were smuggled from their natural families(who would most certainly have to be killed in order to capture the babies) and shipped aboard into Spain where they were sold on the black market to be purchased by beach photographers. The chimpanzees would be dressed in human clothing and accessories, beaten to stay sedate, have most of their teeth knocked out to prevent them biting the tourists they were forced to pose for photographs with and drugged with valium or any other 'calming drugs' to keep the animals under control. Eventually when the chimpanzees reached 6 or 7 years old they grow to become too immensely strong and dangerous and due to their increasing wild behaviour and uncontrollable antics they would be killed and replaced by another smuggled baby chimpanzee. Fortunately the Spanish government reinforced the law which protected chimpanzees and a British couple called Simon and Peggy Templer started a rescue for confiscated chimpanzees. Eventually in 1986 Jim Cronin approached the Templers and discussed on how to create a safe heaven for these mistreated animals and that was when 'Monkey World-Ape Rescue Centre' was hatched, at first as Jim's ambition which progressed to reality.

Jim Cronin leased a 65-acre (260,000 m2) land which was a derelict pig farm prior to Monkey World. He got permission to build his first enclosures and on 13/07/87 brought the first group of 8 beach chimpanzees from the Templers and housed a group of barbary macaques with one hand-reared bornean orangu-utan brought by Jeremy Keeling, who helped Jim to build and construct the sanctuary. More rescues increased the number of primates residing at Monkey World which has now become the largest primate rescue in the world. Monkey World works with foreign governments to stop the illegal smuggling of primates from the wild.

Primate Rescues

Monkey World Primate Rescues & Events Chronology

  • July 13, 1987: Nine chimpanzees ( Paddy, Beth, Busta, Cindy, Zoe, Jimmy, Sammy, Taffy and Micky ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain. Taffy died.
  • August 7, 1987: Jim Cronin opened Monkey World with nine chimpanzees, one Bornean orang-utan ( Amy )and a few monkey species rescued from various laboratories.
  • September 5, 1989: Two chimpanzees ( Butch and Charlie ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain.
  • April 24, 1990: Three chimpanzees ( Cathy, Grisby and Clin ) arrived at the park as ex-French loboratory animals.
  • November 23, 1990: One chimpanzee ( Chatta ) arrived at the park as an ex-photographer's prop from Spain.
  • July 5, 1991: Four chimpanzees ( Mona, Mojo, Rocky and Kyko ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain.
  • July 6, 1991: Two chimpanzees ( Chico and Peggy ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain.
  • April 24, 1992: Two chimpanzees ( Paco and Gamba ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain.
  • May 13, 1993: Eight chimpanzees ( Rodney, Bixa, Evie, Jestah, Buxom, Arfur, Jess and Jane-who gave birth to Bob) arrived at the park from Windsor Safari Park.
  • November 11, 1992: Two chimpanzees ( Cherri and Kay ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain.
  • November 10, 1993: Three chimpanzees ( Peppa, Lola and Sally ) arrived at the park as ex-photographer's props from Spain.
  • December 11, 1993: Two chimpanzees ( Olympia and Athena ) arrived at the park from a circus in Greece.
  • November 24, 1995: One chimpanzee ( Freddy ) arrived at the park as possibly an ex-pet from Austria.
  • August 28, 1996: Four chimpanzees ( Hananya, Tikko, Semach and Gypsy) arrive at the park as smuggled individuals from Israel.
  • September 26, 1996: One chimpanzee ( Simon ) arrives at the park after being found tathered at the petrol station in Valencia, Spain.
  • March 31, 1997: Chimpanzee Chico died from oesaphagal collapse.
  • November 7, 1997: One chimpanzee ( Pacito ) arrived at the park after being found in a garden shed in Barcelona, Spain.
  • December 9, 1997: Orang-utan Amy gives birth to baby Gordon.
  • April 22, 1998: One chimpanzee ( Trudy ) arrives at the park after being confiscated from an abusive British circus trainer.
  • March 2, 1999: Chimpanzee Cherri gives birth to baby Seamus.
  • May 8, 1999: Chimpanzee Olympia gives birth to baby Hebe.
  • September 29, 1999: Chimpanzee Clin gives birth to baby Johni.
  • July 19, 2000: One Bornean orang-utan ( RoRo ) and a group of different sub-species of gibbon(including Zoey, Dalumie, Nini, Fox, Adidas, Alex, Nike and Paul) arrived at the park from the Ping Tung Rescue Centre in Taiwan.
  • July 21, 2001: Two Bornean orang-utans ( Hsiao-Quai and Lucky ) and two young gibbons ( Pung-Yo and Kitty )arrive at the park from the Ping Tung Rescue Centre in Taiwan.
  • September 19, 2001: Chimpanzee Peggy gives birth to baby Ben.
  • September 23, 2001: Chimpanzee Susie gives birth to baby Eddi.
  • November 15, 2001: Chimpanzee Cherri gives birth to baby Pip.
  • January 21, 2002: Two Bornean orang-utans ( Tuan and Hsiao-Lan ) arrive at the park from the Ping Tung Rescue Centre in Taiwan.
  • May 21, 2002: One chimpanzee ( Çarli ) arrives at the park from the entertainment industry in Turkey.
  • July 17, 2002: One chimpanzee ( Tutti ) arrives at the park as an ex-pet from Saudi Arabia.
  • August 31, 2003: Bornean orang-utan RoRo gives birth to baby Hsiao-Ning.
  • February 19, 2003: One chimpanzee ( Alberto ) arrived at the park as an ex-photographer's prop from Spain.
  • January 18, 2004: One chimpanzee ( Kuki ) arrives at the park as an ex-pet from Istanbul, Turkey.
  • April 19, 2004: One chimpanzee ( Zeynep ) arrives at the park as an ex-pet from Turkey.
  • June 22, 2005: One chimpanzee ( Patricia ) arrives at the park as an ex-pet from Fuerteventura.
  • March 17, 2006: One Bornean orang-utan ( Joly ) arrives at the park from Moscow Zoo.
  • July 6, 2006: Bornean Orang-utan RoRo gives birth to baby Dinda.
  • March 5, 2007: Monkey World founder Jim Cronin passes away.
  • July 7, 2007: Chimpanzee Susie gives birth to baby Bart.
  • January 2008: Eighty-eight capuchin monkeys arrive at the park from a laboratory in Chile.
  • 2009: A new Orang-utan Nursery complex is built. Chimpanzee Ben is moved out of Hananya's Group and into the Bachelor Group.
  • February 2009: Chimpanzee Charlie died.
  • November 2009: Bornean orang-utan Hsiao-Quai gives birth to baby Jin.
  • August 2010: One Bornean Orang-utan ( Oshine ) arrives at the park as an ex-pet from Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • June 4, 2010: One baby golden-cheeked gibbon ( Mikado ) arrived from a zoo in France.
  • November 2010: Woolly monkey Xusy died. Stump-tailed macaque Gerald died.
  • November 5, 2010: 9 Stump-tailed macaques arrived at the park from Edinburgh
  • December 7, 2010: One Sumatran Orang-utan ( Silvestre ) arrives at the park from a zoo in Spain.
  • January 27, 2011: One chimpanzee ( Kiki ) arrives at the park as an ex-pet from Lebanon.

Primates groups

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is home to 223 primates of 16 different species.

File:Monkeyworldchimps.jpg
Two of Monkey World's Chimpanzees, (Honey and Peggy)

Monkey World has rescued chimpanzees from Spain, Greece, Turkey, the Netherlands, Britain, Austria, France, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Israel and Lebanon where they were being mistreated as photographers' props, medical research subjects, exotic pets and circus entertainers. In 1993, Monkey World accepted an entire colony of chimpanzees from Windsor Safari Park after it closed down. Monkey World is now home to the largest number of these Great Apes outside of Africa.

There are currently 59 chimpanzees in park, living in four social groups, three adult groups and one nursery.

Hananya's Group

Name of chimpanzee Estimated or Known Birth Date Arrival Date At Monkey World Background Social/Group Status
Arfur April 23, 1993 May 31, 1993 Arrived from Windsor Safari Park Lowest ranking male
Cherri 1991 November 24, 1992 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Highest ranking female
Eveline March 1, 1997 February 12, 1999 Rescued from a Dutch laboratory Low ranking female
Hananya 1993 August 28, 1996 Smuggled into Israel for the illegal pet trade Alpha male
Honey 1997 July 6, 1999 Was kept by the Royal Family of Dubai Low ranking female
Jess April 25, 1993 May 31, 1993 Arrived from Windsor Safari Park Middle ranking female
Johni September 19, 1999 September 19, 1999 Was born at Monkey World. Her mother Clin (who lives in Paddy's group) High ranking female
Kiki 2001 January 27, 2011 Smuggled into Lebanon for the illegal pet trade Low ranking and new female
Kuki 1997 January 18, 2004 Smuggled into Turkey for the illegal pet trade Low ranking female
Marjoline August 5, 1996 February 12, 1999 Rescued from a Dutch laboratory Middle ranking female
Patricia 1999 June 22, 2005 Smuggled into Fuerteventura for the illegal pet trade Low ranking female
Peggy 1989 July 6, 1991 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Second highest ranking female
Semach 1994 August 28, 1996 Smuggled into Israel for the illegal pet trade Fourth highest ranking male
Simon 1993 September 26, 1996 Found tathered to a post at a petrol station in Spain Third highest ranking male
Tikko 1994 August 28, 1996 Smuggled into Israel for the illegal pet trade Second highest ranking male
Trudy April 9, 1996 April 22, 1998 Confiscated from British circus trainer Mary Chipperfield[5] Low ranking female
Tutti 2000 July 17, 2002 Smuggled into Saudi Arabia for the illegal pet trade low ranking female
Valerie February 12, 1999 January 12, 1996 Rescued from a Dutch laboratory Low ranking female
Zeynep 1998 April 19, 2004 Smuggled into Turkey for the illegal pet trade Low ranking female

This group of 19 is the second largest group of chimpanzees in the park. Hananya took over the group after former leader Rodney died after a heart attack. Rodney was the dominant male in this group and Hananya was his second in command. Hananya was an adolescent male by then and clearly had a lot of respect for his leader. This however began to change as Hananya grew in confidence and size and following a detereoration in respect for Rodney, Hananya and Rodney fought and most of the members chose to back up the younger and fitter Hananya and turned on Rodney. Rodney was badly hurt and despite treatment the shock was just too much for 39 year old Rodney and he died of a heart attack. New encrowned leader Hananya struggled with his new position, mainly because he found it hard to discipline the other chimps because he grew up with the majority of the group. But he began to get there and Hananya is receiving a lot more respect from his group and is proving to be able to live up to his role as Alpha male and his new second in command is Tikko, who supports Hananya when he needs to. Other members of this group include Simon, he was found tethered to a post before being rescued in Spain. Simon is a very astitute chimp, always thinking and calculating, he has be known as 'Acrobatic Simon' because of his tendencies of swinging in the ropes in the outside enclosure. In this group there are two main dominant females, Cherri and Peggy. Cherri is noticeably the most dominant of the two and does not take kindly to newcomers though she did show her softer side during the 'Ben and Pip Introductions'. Cherri has had two babies, Seamus who was born in 999 but had to be taken away from Cherri at birth, and Pip who was born in 2001 who also had to be hand-reared but died while under anaesthetic following a rouf and tumble with another chimp. Peggy is the other dominant female in the group and she gave birth to Ben in 2001 but rejected him. Both Cherri and Peggy were re-introduced to their offspring in 2008 when youngsters Ben and Pip who had graduated from the Nursery Group, joined Hananya's. Ben could not fully integrate and was moved to another group and Pip died after suffering a mad reaction to the anaesthetic. There have been many arrivals to this group over the years. Kuki and Zeynep both arrived from Turkey and are believed to be half-sisters, Eveline, Honey, Tutti and Johni who all came from the Nursery Group and Patricia from Fuerteventura. On January 27, 2011 was the arrival of a rescued female chimpanzee called Kiki, who lived as a pet in Lebanon. Kiki is settling in well and has already met several of her new family in this group. Currently in this group reside Alpha male Hananya, Arfur, Cherri, Eveline, Honey, Jess, Johni, Kiki, Kuki, Marjoline, Patricia, Peggy, Semach, Simon, Tikko, Trudy, Tutti, Valerie and Zeynep.

Paddy's Group

Name of chimpanzee Estimated or known birth date Arrival date at Monkey World Background Social/Group Status
Athena 1992 December 11, 1993 Confiscated from a circus in Greece Low ranking female
Bart July 17, 2007 July 17, 2007 Was born at Monkey World. His mother is Susie Baby of the group
Beth 1982 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Highest ranking female
Bixa 1977 May 31, 1993 Arrived from Windsor Safari Park High ranking female
Busta 1980 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop and circus entertainer from Spain Second highest ranking male
Cathy 1981 April 24, 1990 Rescued from a French laboratory High ranking female?
Chatta 1989 November 23, 1990 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking female
Cindy 1979 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain High ranking female
Clin 1982 April 24, 1990 Rescued from a French laboratory High ranking female
Eddi September 23, 2001 September 23, 2001 Was born at Monkey World. Her mother is Susie Middle ranking female?
Gamba 1991 April 24, 1992 Rescued in Spain before being used as a photographer's prop Middle ranking male?
Grisby 1981 April 24, 1990 Rescued from a French laboratory Low ranking female
Hebe May 8, 1999 May 8, 1999 Was born at Monkey World. Her mother was Olympia Low ranking female
Kay 1990 November 24, 1992 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking female
Lola 1988 November 10, 1993 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking female
Micky 1982 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking male
Paddy 1980 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Alpha male
Peppa 1987 November 10, 1993 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking female
Susie 1980 September 22, 1994 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain High ranking female
Zoe 1983 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain High ranking female

This group of 20 is the largest group of chimpanzees in the park. Paddy is one of the original first chimpanzees who lived at Monkey World since 1987 after being rescued from a life as a beach photographer's prop in Spain. The majority of his group are ex-beach photographer chimps as well and some in this group were the eight chimps to first live at the park. Unlike the other chimp groups at the park, this group is the oldest and most stable, home to a number of dominant females and one such dominant female is Beth. Beth is also one of the first rescued chimps from Spain and is the dominant female in this group followed by Zoe, Susie, Bixa and Cindy, who are also dominant females. Paddy and his group ousted two members over the years, Paco and Jimmy. Paco was moved out of this group following a conflict with the alpha male's second in command, Jimmy. He was moved to the Bachelor group where he has settled in well. Jimmy was Paddy's no. 2 until things began to change when Paddy's group took a stand against him and ousted him from the group, Jimmy was also moved in the Bachelor Boys. Following Jimmy's departure, Busta has stepped up as Paddy's new right-hand man though still has his hands full controlling Gamba. Other members of this group include Gamba, who is the naughtiest and is affectionately known as 'Cheeky Gamba' because of his normally boisterous ways. Peppa is one of the more quiet members who stays in the fringes of the group. This group is most certainly widely known because of its successful births and the first birth in this group was that of Hebe. Hebe was born in 1999 to Olympia, a young low-ranking female. Olympia and her baby clearly bonded and Hebe stayed with her mother and extended family for the first 11 months of life. Unfortunately Olympia's milk dried up and Hebe had to be removed and hand-reared with Johni, another baby born to this group by Clin before she and Johni were old enough to be re-introduced to their family group. Hebe was immediately accepted but Johni was ousted and joined the Nursery Group before joining Hananya's group where she is slowly becoming a dominant female. In 2005 Olympia died of cancer. Cathy, one of the large females, gave birth to Ash in 2005 and although there were initial signs of Cathy looking after her baby were promising, the baby did not feed and Cathy started to roll Ash up in the wood wool and poke her, so Ash had to be taken away and hand-reared. The more successful births are that of Eddi and her little brother Bart. Eddi was born in 2001 to Susie, who took care of her brilliantly without any problems and six years later gave birth to another baby, Bart, who she is looking after well as she did with Eddi. Currently in this group reside Alpha male Paddy, Athena, Bart, Beth, Bixa, Busta, Cathy, Chatta, Cindy, Clin, Eddi, Gamba, Grisby, Hebe, Kay, Lola, Micky, Peppa, Susie and Zoe.

Bachelor Group

Name of chimpanzee Estimated or Known Birth Date Arrival Date At Monkey World Background Social/Group Status
Ben September 19, 2001 September 19, 2001 Was born at Monkey World. His mother is Peggy (who lives in Hananya's group) Middle ranking male
Butch 1983 September 5, 1989 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Alpha male
Buxom January 29, 1982 May 31, 1993 Arrived from Windsor Safari Park High ranking male
Çarli November 20, 1993 May 24, 2002 Rescued from the entertainment industry in Turkey Low ranking male
Freddy 1989 November 24, 1995 Ex-pet kept in Austria Low ranking male
Gypsy 1994 August 28, 1996 Was born at an Israel zoo Low ranking male
Jestah December 28, 1981 May 31, 1993 Arrived from Windsor Safari Park High ranking male
Jimmy 1983 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Middle ranking male?
Kyko 1983 July 5, 1991 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking male
Mojo 1988 July 5, 1991 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking male
Pacito 1990 November 7, 1997 Found chained to a garden shed in Barcelona, Spain Low ranking male
Paco 1991 April 24, 1992 Rescued in Spain before being used as a photographer's prop High ranking male
Rocky 1989 July 5, 1991 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Low ranking male
Sammy 1982 July 13, 1987 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Middle ranking male?
Seamus March 2, 1999 March 2, 1999 Was born at Monkey World. His mother is Cherri (who lives in Hananya's group) Low ranking male?

This group of 15 is the third largest group of chimpanzees in the park. This group is the most unique because it is an all-male group of chimps that do not fit into any other groups in the park and have affectionately been known as the Bachelor Boys, and part of the reason they have this name is due to their rowdy behavior. Butch is the dominant male in this group and arrived at Monkey World in 1989 after being used as a photographer's prop. He arrived with Charlie, one of the most lovable characters in the whole park, and the two shared a long friendship. Charlie was one of the most badly abused chimps ever rescued and had many physical, medical and psychological scars from his previous life as a photographer's prop in Spain. He recovered slowly through rehabilitation but unfortunately Charlie's condition deteriorated in early 2009 and he died on February 8, 2009. There have been a couple of adjustments to this group and one was the arrival of Alberto, a chimp rescued in Spain. Alberto lived 16 years of his life as a beach-chimp and took a while to adjust to living with other chimps. Alberto died in 2005 after only a short time of at Monkey World. Then the arrival of Paco, from Paddy's group, who moved in with the boys after an unsettled conflict with another chimp and was accepted as another member of Bachelors. Jimmy, also from Paddy's group, was moved in with the 'hooligans' after he began to challenge Paddy's authority. Once he was moved in with Bachelors he met up with Paco, who he ousted while still living in Paddy's group. Paco has grown into quit a large male and has an impressive contrast. Other members include half-brothers Jestah and Buxom, a high-ranking pair of males who rule the group alongside Butch. Freddy, one of the more quiet members, suffered from piles which he received treatment for. Sammy, who has droopy ears, is one of the first chimps rescued from Spain 1987 and Pacito was rescued from a life living in an garden shed in Barcelona. Kyko was abused as a photographer's prop when he was forced to wear roller skates and Mojo and Rocky arrived at the same time from Spain as former beach-photographer's props. Carlie(pronounced 'Charlie') arrived from Turkey where he lived as a television film star. Another arrival was Seamus, who had left the Nursery Group and joined the Bachelor boys following a failed integration into Hananya's group and Ben, the latest arrival, also joined this group following a failed integration into Hananya's group. Currently in this group reside Alpha male Butch, Ben, Buxom, Çarli, Freddy, Gypsy, Jestah, Jimmy, Kyko, Mojo, Pacito, Paco, Rocky, Sammy and Seamus.

Chimpanzee Nursery

Name of chimpanzee Estimated or Known Birth Date Arrival Date At Monkey World Background Social/Group Status
Ash September 13, 2005 September 13, 2005 Was born at Monkey World. Her mother is Cathy (who lives in Paddy's group) Young female
Bryan 2003 December 8, 2006 Ex-photographer's prop from Mexico Young male
Lulu 1992 October 14, 2000 Rescued from Cyprus Second adult female
Rodders August 3, 2005 August 3, 2005 Was born at Monkey World. His mother is Jess (who lives in Hananya's group) Young male
Sally 1989 November 10, 1993 Ex-photographer's prop from Spain Adult and leading female

This group is the fourth chimpanzee group in the park and is home to 5, also affectionately known as Nursery Group. This group was set up as a nursery where young chimps grow up until old enough to join an adult group in the park. This group is home to Sally, the park's full-time foster mum who was rescued in 1993 from Spain where she lived as a photographer's prop. Sally has a lot of maternal instincts and has helped rear many chimps in Monkey World. Lulu arrived from Cyprus with one-arm after her other arm was bitten by her mother and became infected leading to amputation. Then was the arrival of newest babies, Ash(Cathy's daughter, born in Paddy's group in 2005) and Rodders(Jess's son, born in Hananya's group in 2005). Ash and Rodders are coming on leaps and bounds. The latest arrival to the chimp nursery is Bryan, who was rescued from a Mexico zoo who arrived at Monkey World in 2006. Currently in this group are Sally, Ash, Bryan, Rodders and Lulu.

Monkey World has rehomed these Great Asian Apes from the Pingtung Rescue Centre for Endangered Wild Animals in Taiwan, the country where orang-utans where smuggled into for the illegal pet trade. Bornean orang-utans are an endangered species and the individuals at the park are allowed to breed, as part of the European Breeding Programme for Endangered Species(EEP).

There are currently 16 Bornean Orang-utans living at Monkey World in three social groups:

Tuan's Group

This group contains the oldest male Tuan, and three females: Amy (the first orangutan in the park and Gordon's Mother), Lucky, and Ro-Ro (mother of Hsiao-Ning and Dinda). Amy gave birth to a baby girl in October 2008, but the baby died the next day for unknown reasons.

Gordon's Group

This second group contains Gordon, Hsiao-Lan, and Hsiao-Quai her sons Kai and new baby Jin who she gave birth to on 12 November 2009. Jin means handsome in Chinese. In late 2010 Hsiao-Ning and A-Mei were moved out of the Orang-utan Nursery and moved into Gordon's group.

Orang-utan Nursery

The Nursery Group currently lives in a specially designed enclosure for young orangutans. The current residents are: youngsters Dinda (daughter of Ro-Ro) Lingga and Joly from France and Russia, respectively and on 7 December 2010 an orphaned baby sumatran orang-utan called Silvestre arrived from a zoo in Spain where he was abandoned by his mother. He has joined the orang-utan nursery and is settling in well.

In August 2010 a new orang-utan called Oshine (pronounced 'O-sheeen') arrived at the park with a serous physical condition of being overweight. Although adult, she lives in the nursery group until her condition improves and she is ready to move into an adult group. Since A-Mei left to join Gordon's group, Oshine is now the only adult female in the nursery orangutan group.

There are currently five groups of different Gibbon sub-species at the park.

Name of Gibbon Species Gender Background Arrival date at Monkey World Estimated/Known date of Birth Species part of EEP ? Offspring of Gibbon
Adidas Mueller's Gibbon Male Victom of Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1992 No None
Alex Golden-cheeked Gibbon Female Victim of the Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1992 Yes None
Dalumie Mueller's Gibbon Female Victim of Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1994 No None
Ella Lar Gibbon Female Came from a Russian Zoo 21 May 2002 1985 No None
Fox Mueller's Gibbon Male Victim of Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1993 No None
Jake Golden-cheeked Gibbon Male Rehomed from Los Angeles Zoo 23 November 2004 4 February 1995 Yes Offspring are Kim and Zak
Kim Golden-cheeked Gibbon Female Was born at Monkey World 31 March 2008 31 March 2008 Yes Parents are Jake and Zoey
Kitty Lar Gibbon Female Captive born at the Pingtung Rescue Centre for Endagered Wild Animals 21 July 2001 7 August 1999 No None
Mikado Golden-cheeked Gibbon Male Rehomed from a zoo in France 3 June 2006 20 March 2010 Yes None
Nike Lar Gibbon Male Victim of the Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1994 None None
Nini Mueller's Gibbon Male Victim of Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1995 No None
Paul Agile Gibbon Male Victim of Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1995 No None
Peanut Golden-cheeked Gibbon Female Victim of smuggling 25 August 2000 1998 Yes Offspring are Tien and Tia Nang
Pung-Yo Golden-cheeked Gibbon Male Victim of the Taiwanese illegal pet trade 21 July 2001 2000 Yes Offspring are Tien and Tia Nang
Sam Siamang Gibbon Male Rehomed from Banham Zoo 1998 ? Yes Offspring was Onion, who sadly passed away
Tia Nang Golden-cheeked Gibbon Female Was born at Monkey World 18 February 2009 18 February 2009 Yes Parents are Peanut and Pung-Yo
Tien Golden-cheeked Gibbon Male Was born at Monkey World 18 July 2006 18 July 2006 Yes Parents are Peanut and Pung-Yo
Tito Golden-cheeked Gibbon Male Victim of smuggling 3 April 2004 1997 Yes None
Vietta Golden-cheeked Gibbon Female Rehomed from Russian Zoo 21 May 2002 1993 Yes None
Zak Golden-cheeked Gibbon Male Was born at Monkey World 1 September 2010 1 September 2010 Yes Parents are Zoey and Jake
Zoey Golden-cheeked Gibbon Female Victim of Taiwanese illegal pet trade 19 July 2000 1993 Yes Offspring are Kim and Zak

Currently there are two Siamang gibbons at Monkey World. These are Sam and his offspring, Onion, who was born in 2000. Mother Sage died in April 2009 due to a bowel obstruction.

This group of primates is part of the European Breeding Programme for Endangered Species(EEP), therefore breeding is encouraged to safe guard the survival of the species. So far there are 10 of these gibbons in the park. They are named:

  • Zoey and Jake and their daughter Kim born on 31 March 2008 Kim means "Golden" in Vietnamese. 1st sept 2010 saw the arrival of their new baby and first son, Zak.
  • Peanut and Pung-Yo, their elder child, Tien and their second infant, a female named Tia Nang, which they welcomed on 18 February 2009. Peanut and Pung-Yo were the first pair to produce a child in the park (Tien).
  • Alex and Mikado, the young male orphan
  • Vietta and Tito are a pair bond and high hopes they will breed in the future

These species of gibbon are quite rare in zoos but there are currently 4 of them in the park:

  • Dalumie and Adidas (male and female)
  • Fox & Nini (both male)

Agile and Lar Gibbons

There are three Lar gibbons and one Agile gibbon living at the park. The Agile Gibbon Paul lives with Kitty, a Lar gibbon, whilst the other Lar gibbons, Ella and Nike, live in another enclosure.

In October 2010, Oberon, the only goeldi's monkey, died. With his death means that his species does not exist at the park any longer.

Monkey World comprises over 230 primates and apart from the Apes, there is a collection of monkeys and prosimian species living at the park.

File:Ugly Monkey.JPG
Stump-tailed macaque rescued from a lab by the Cronins
  • Ring-Tailed Lemurs and Ruffed Lemur - There are a total of 11 ring-tailed lemurs in the park, they reside in a walkthrough woodland enclosure known as 'Malagasy'. The males that live in the walkthrough woodland enclosure are Indiana, Cirrius, Himal, Douglas, Whitespot, Houdini, George and Rentin. There is a female called Fennel who joined the boys and there is a new female called Kaiyah. There is also a ruffed lemur called Blue who happily resides in Malagasy with the boys, Fennel & Kaiyah.
  • Stump-Tailed Macaques - There are 11 of these primates at Monkey World and are affectionately called the "Ugly Monkeys". The 5 resident monkeys currently live in one group. These came from various research centres around the UK, named Sam, David, Phil, Jonathan and Paddy live in the original enclosure. In November 2010, 10 new macaques arrived from a lab in Edinburgh. There were 9 females and a male called Wilmot. Two days after the new macaques arrived, Wilmot died due to a heart attack. The 5 boys were introduced to the 9 females. and so far things are going smoothly. David, Fingers and Rachael (two of the females) died. The current individuals are Sam (taking over from Scott as the new dominant male), Phil, Jonathan, Paddy, Norine, Maureen, Cola, Charley (girl), Miriam, Sylvie and Kelly.
  • Squirrel Monkeys - There are only 5 of these small primates in the park, one of which came from a German laboratory, with the other two rescued in March 2008 from the UK pet trade. Another female was rescued May 2009. Their names are Alien, Topsy, Turvey and Samantha. A new squirrel monkey male arrived in 2010 called Fidget.
  • Woolly Monkeys - There are 17 of these rare monkeys at Monkey World, including several babies that have been hand-reared by primate care staff and others who are being cared for by their mothers. In November 2010, Xusy, the oldest woolly monkey in the world at 38 years old, dies. In April 2010, two elderly woolly monkeys, Oaska (male) and Quapa (female), were moved from Basel Zoo in Iceland to Monkey World. They have now formed a third group with Lena (born in Levar's group) and Xingu (born in Bueno's group) who moved out of Bueno's group. Oaska is a sub-species of woolly monkey known as the silvery woolly monkey(Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii)

Levar's group consists of Levar(the dominant male), Piquita (the dominant female),Branco, Ayla, Kuna, Diego and Julio.

Bueno's group consists of Bueno(the dominant male), Yarima(the dominant female), Enzo and Paulo. On November 13, 2010, the last female woolly monkey in the USA arrived from Louisville Zoo in Kentucky. Her name is Sara.

Oaska's group consists of Oaska(the dominant male), Lena(Levar's daughter and now the dominant female of this group), Quapa and Xingu. In 2011, Lena gave birth to a baby named Milo.

  • Capuchin Monkeys - 78 capuchins reside in Monkey World. The two originals are Terri and Gismo. In January 2008, 88 new capuchins arrived from Chile and have all been given names; these new arrivals are currently living in the new capuchin lodge and at the ex stump tail/woolly monkey house. A further 2 were rescued from the British pet trade at the same time. Tom died in July 2008. Several females have died since. In the summer of 2009, TJ died. In autumn 2009, two female capuchins were rescued from Spain. Their names are Babe and Amy II as there was already am Amy in the park.

In the group of boys resides Shawn(the dominant male), Gorilon, Joey, Fabian, Franco, Phillippe, Onslow, Erico, Donny, William, Garbonzo, Diez, Sunny, Reg, Boyce, Ringo, Bruce, Norman, Winslow, Ralph, Marlow, Archie, Caesar and Gismo.

In Amy's group resides Amy(the dominant female), Mary, Elvira, Elisa, Emily, Cara, Zoë, Becky, Digit, Phoebe, Sooty and Marcy.

In Debbie's group resides Debbie(the dominant female), Dorothy, Scarlet, Clare, Jill, Lionell, Leonie, Pride, G.I. Jane, Molly, Phillipa, Babe, Freda, Lilia, Oyster, Kelly, Pippa, Keira, Tia and Ester.

In Lizzy's group resides Lizzy(the dominant female), Tilly, Veronica, Cecilia, Pirate, Dot, Laura, Rosie, Binty, Terri, Mini, Theresa, Alison, Maddie, Lil, Jackie, Trish, Kate, Tallulah, Abbie and Ashlin.

The above information is largely incorrect.

  • Common Marmosets - There are currently 11 marmosets in the park. There's one family (Harry the mum, Louis the dad and their children, Henry, Hazel and Lionel), another family (Lenny, Gabi and their adopted son, Solomon) and two pairs (Betty-Boo and Max and Kayla and Nathan).
  • Cottontop Tamarins - There are 2 of these at the park. Their names are Uncas and Alice. They arrived in March 2009 from Kent. They share the squirrel monkeys' enclosure.

Primate Care

Monkey World covers 65 acres (26.30 ha) of park and within this enormous sanctuary are over 208 individual apes and monkeys which make up the primates living in it. To ensure that all the primates receive their day-to-day care is a dedicated team of people working and caring for them known as the Primate Care Staff. These people have hands-on experience in caring for wild animals and are effectively trained to know how to not only feed the animals but to rehabilitate them to give them a better life. The care of each primate depends on the species and its specific diet and life requirements.

Care of the apes

The park is home to 71 apes, which make up the chimps, orang-utans and all the species of gibbon(lesser apes). These large, powerful primates require a lot of stimulation in order to ensure their mental and physical well being. The enclosures cover around 2 acres (0.81 ha), containing lash grass, shrubs to add a more natural setting, and man-made structures. These structures include the climbing apparatus/frames, which are made up of telephone poles of wood which are strong enough to withstand the strength of the apes and also provide a setting which enables them to swing and jump, movements which they would exhibit in their natural environment. The outside enclosures have viewing towers for the observation of the animals. The outside enclosures are connected to indoor accommodations/complex, known as the pavilions. These indoor sleeping quarters and playrooms comprise hammocks, wood-wool and are heated to keep the animals warm during cold months. During cold winter months the Primate Care staff spray oil over the hands and feet of the apes in order to keep the supple and stop them cracking as well as provide extra enrichments such as donated blankets for the apes to play and amuse themselves with. In order to get close to the apes for medical check-ups, the Primate Care Staff employ a training known as 'operant conditioning' which will allow the keepers to train the animals to present certain parts of their body for medical checkups without the keepers having to put themselves at risk by getting close to the immensely powerful, potentially dangerous animals but at the same time build strong bonds with them. The indoor pavilions have a viewing window for the public to watch the apes inside as well as seeing them in their outside enclosure. The outside enclosures get refurbished regularly by improving the climbing apparatus, replacing them with new and interesting climbing frames and the indoor areas get polished and more wood-wool and replacement or addition of hammocks are put into their accommodation. As a form of mental stimulation, the apes are given feeding puzzles such as dog toys, kongs and puzzle feeders to enable the apes to work for their food and put their intelligence to its full potential.

The lesser apes, (gibbons) have enclosures with trees and other apparatus for swinging and branchiating. These highly delicate apes require specific nutritional requirements and are all endangered in the wild. All the rescued gibbons came from either other zoos or the 'Pingtung Rescue Centre for Endangered Wild Animals'. The Primate Care staff place their feeding puzzles in the their indoor accommodation as well as refurbish their enclosures to enable these apes to move about much as they would in the wilds of Vietnam, Borneo and Sumatra.

Care of the Monkeys & Prosimians

The park is home to 152 smaller primate species, which make up the capuchin monkeys, common marmosets, stump-tailed macaques, woolly monkeys, cotton-top tamarins, goeldi's monkey, ring-tailed lemurs and squirrel monkeys. These delicate primates require intensive care to ensure that they live normal, healthy lives. A lot of consideration is put into designin their outdoor and indoor accommodation. The monkeys live in specious, leafy/vegetative-densed enclosures which replicate their natural, humid habitat. The enclosures are enriched with insects and fruits, hidden in puzzle feeders to enable the animals to work for their food and hence exhibit their nutural behaviour of hunting. Their indoor accommodation is carefully heated during cold weather, filled with objects of mental stimulation such as donated baskets and blankets to exhibit nesting behaviour. The Primate Care Staff train the monkeys to willingly walk into a travelling crate so that in the urgency of transportation to the vet clinic, the animals would not have to be sedated.

Present times

At Monkey World, chimps are rehabilitated into large social groups, much as they would exist in the wild. The females are generally kept on birth control because the centre is still actively rescuing chimps, so space and funding is limited. Monkey World also works in Asia with the "Pingtung Rescue Center for Endangered Wild Animals" to try to stop the smuggling of gibbons and orangutans from the wild for use as pets. They also conduct undercover surveys of the illegal pet trade in South East Asia.

Within the centre there is a hospital and operating theatre where most of the medical examination and operations on the primates and monkeys are performed. There is a local vet and a specialist primate vet and the staff at Monkey World are recognized as experts in primate rehabilitation and health.

For the more active there is the woodland walk and the children's adventure play area. The café provides a wide range of hot and cold food, whilst the kiosks sell treats such as ice creams and cola. The well stocked gift shop is very popular, as is the viewing tower, from which you can see all over the park. Monkey World opens at 10am and closes at 5pm (6pm July and August). As of 2009, adult entrance tickets were £10.50 and children (3–15 years old) were £7.25 Family tickets (two adults and two children) cost £31.

All of the enclosures are viewable from level disability friendly paths. There is a section for disabled children in the play area and motorized scooters are available for use in the park free of charge. Guide dogs are permitted into the park. Monkey World attracts over half a million visitors a year.

Dao Tien Rescue Centre

In 2008, Monkey World, Pingtung Rescue Centre, Cat Tien National Park and the Forestry Protection Department worked together to create a centre in South Vietnam to save gibbons and other primates from the pet trade, smuggling, theme parks, restaurants and so on so that they can be released into the forests of the centre. They named it Dao Tien and it now looks after 33 gibbons, 8 pygmy loris (7 in the wild and 1 in a semi-forested enclosure) and 4 black-shanked douc langurs. Here are their names:

GIBBONS STAYING AT THE CENTRE

  • Luat (male)
  • Ha (male) & Noi (female)
  • Sa Mee (male)

GIBBONS BEING PREPARED FOR RELEASE

  • Nha (male) & Cuchi (female)
  • Dao (female), Lucy (female) and Khoi (male)
  • Tau (male and white-cheeked gibbon) & Mei Lee (female and adoptive mother to Tau)
  • Hien (male), Nhee (female) and Trang Bom (female)
  • Teo (male) and Uh (female)
  • Tim (male) and Charlotte (female)
  • Hoa (female) and Bien (male)
  • Charlie (male)
  • Mika (female)

GIBBONS RELEASED INTO SEMI-WILD ENCLOSURES

  • The Nursery Group: Ellie (the matriarch) Trang (female), Misu (female), Lim Huyen (male) and Tony (male)
  • Lee Lee (male), Merry (female) and their baby (still to be named and gender unknown)
  • Da (male), Lat (female) and their baby (still to be named and gender unknown)

All of the gibbons at Dao Tien are golden-cheeked gibbons apart from Tau who is a white-cheeked gibbon

PYGMY LORIS STAYING AT THE CENTRE

  • Sergeant (male)

PYGMY LORIS BEING PREPARED FOR RELEASE

  • Morris (male)

PYGMY LORIS RELEASED IN THE FORESTS OF DAO TIEN

  • Mistletoe (female) and Thang (male), Phuong (female) and Tuyet (male)

PYGMY LORIS RELEASED IN THE FORESTS OF CAT TIEN

  • Toby (male), Nhan (male) and Simone (female)

PYGMY LORIS IN SEMI-FORESTED ENCLOSURES

  • Hai (female)
  • Raphael (male)
  • Lindsay (female)

BLACK-SHANKED DOUC LANGURS

  • Chinh (female)
  • Thanh (male)
  • A female that still has to be named
  • A baby male that still has to be named

SILVERED LANGUR

  • A-Chih (male)

Television appearances

Awareness of the park has grown due to the ongoing TV documentary Monkey Business, which has completed its 9th season and its successor Monkey Life, going on its 5th season. Other awareness is made through general TV coverage across the world, which include:

  • Monkey Life - Season 4 on National Geographic now showing.
  • Monkey Life - Series 1,2 & 3 on Animal Planet. Currently showing on Animal Planet (Europe).
  • Monkey Business on ITV and Animal Planet. A concluded series produced by Meridian Television focusing on Monkey World. Nine series have been broadcast to date, with two specials on "Jim Cronin's Legacy" broadcast in June 2008. Monkey Business has been succeeded by Monkey Life, produced by Primate Planet Productions Ltd.
  • Nature Watch on ITV
  • Operation Chimpanzee on BBC
  • State of the Ark on BBC
  • Animal Hospital on BBC
  • CNN & Sky TV Highlighting a rescue operation in Turkey of smuggled chimpanzees
  • ITV GMTV Covering the illegal pet trade in Turkey. Since 1998 Monkey World has been working in cooperation with the Turkish Government to stop the smuggling of chimpanzees from the wild for the entertainment and pet trade.
  • QED Saving Trudy on BBC
  • Russell Brand often talks about Monkey World in his BBC Radio 2 programme & podcast, and mentions it on Big Brother Celebrity Highjack when a house mate makes monkey noises.
  • Karl Pilkington made a visit to Monkey World and was mentioned in his & Ricky Gervais' radio show on XFM.[6]

Awards

Monkey World has won an array of awards including Attraction of the Year 2000, and sixth best family attraction in Britain 2004. Jim Cronin and Alison Cronin jointly received the Jane Goodall Award for their work with Monkey World.

Death of Jim Cronin

On Saturday 17 March 2007 Jim Cronin died in a New York hospital aged 55 years, from liver cancer.

His widow, Alison, and the staff at Monkey World have promised to continue the legacy of Monkey World: "Monkey World will carry on with Alison at the forefront. We will make sure it is Jim’s lasting legacy." [7]

References