Monkey World, Ape Rescue Centre Wareham

History

Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lays 30 hectares of sanctuary for over 240 primates. Monkey World is not a zoo, but a refuge, an Ape Rescue Centre that had been the dream of Jim Cronin, its founder.

Jim Cronin, born and raised in Yonkers, New York, discovered that his passion was working with animals and the conservation of wildlife when he worked as a zookeeper at Bronx Zoo in the 1970s. Next, he took up the job of primate zookeeper at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent, UK. Probably influenced by the ideas of John Aspinall, the eccentric founder and owner of Howletts, but foremost by his own excessive amount of compassion he wanted to create a cageless animal park specialising in rescued primates. And use his skills and knowledge of dietary, social, scientific and theoretical aspects of animal welfare for the benefit of abused and exploited primates. He wanted to build such a rescue centre based on the concept developed by Wim Mager, the Dutch photographer, who wanted to have a park where apes could wander around in huge, forest-like enclosures. Mager's concept had materialised in Apenheul Primate Park at Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.

Although nobody took him serious at first, he pulled it off. Partly because his enthusiasm was infectious, but foremost because of his dedication and perseverance while endlessly searching for a site and finances to realise his dream. First Jim found a site where his sanctuary could be developed, a disused pig farm in Dorset. Only to find that a planning permission was not easily arranged. He encountered a lot of scepticism and the local community was not thrilled by the thought of having wild monkeys as neighbours. But after an appeal the permission was acquired.

In the autumn of 1986 Jim Cronin resigned at Howletts to concentrate on turning his dream into reality. This basically meant that Jim had to pursue finances. Soon he was successful in gaining the necessary funds, but the downside of these business loans was that the money-lenders, one of them became partner in the endeavour, demanded Monkey World to open next summer. And while there were no decent enclosures yet, only some disused barns, already a first shipment of ring-tailed lemurs arrived from a science laboratory. Many more ex-laboratory monkey were acquired in this period, such as douroucoulis, tamarins, marmosets, squirrel monkeys and crab-eating macaques. This increased the pressure to create fit-for-purpose enclosures quickly. Especially, because Jim had committed to taking the nine chimpanzees from the British expat couple Simon and Peggy Templer, who were taking care of young chimpanzees used as beach photographers' props that had been confiscated by the Spanish authorities. As a matter of fact when Jim heard of the chimpanzees used as photographers' props, the abuse and their hopeless situation, he wanted to help and this is when the idea of Monkey World was hatched. Jim became close friends with the Templers and told the Spanish authorities that, if they continued to confiscate the illegal chimps, he would build a sanctuary to care for them all.

On 7 August 1987 Jim Cronin's dream came true when Monkey World was opened to the public. The first public responses were not always positive. Which was not per se unexpected, because the monkeys that were on display had been rescued from laboratories and hesitant to explore their new enclosures at the park. Besides the fact that at the time the park was still desolate, having been built on the grounds of a derelict pig farm. But Jim was convinced that the park and it's mission would be embraced by visitors if they knew what he was trying to achieve.

From then on the rescue operations expanded, new facilities for the monkeys and apes were designed and built, with Jim never stopping to encourage others to join him in his mission. Which also became the mission of Jeremy Keeling, one of Jim's earliest 'partners in crime'. They showed the mainstream zoo community that it was possible to use electric fences to confine chimpanzees and get away from the wrought-iron cages. More enclosure design innovations were developed when more money became available, although they were always on a tight budget. Nevertheless, on March 8, 1991, Jim Cronin became the sole owner of Monkey World and negotiated a new lease with the landlord that enabled him to buy the park.

When Jim married Alison Ames, a behavioural expert, in 1996, Monkey World was further developed from the original small refuge into the 30 hectares wildlife park that is home to more than 240 rescued primates of 15 different species today. It is rated as one of the most popular family destinations in England. In 1998 the first of the well-loved television series Monkey Business was screened. It documented Monkey World's frequent rescue missions, undercover investigations, and day-to-day life of its inhabitants. It was shown on Animal Planet and later on Channel 5 as Monkey Life in over 140 countries worldwide. This documentaries that were screened for over a decade helped to spread the word about Monkey World's mission.

In 2006 Jim and Alison were awarded the honour of Member of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for Services to Animal Welfare. Unfortunately, Jim Cronin was diagnosed with liver cancer early 2007 and passed away on 17 March 2007 at Cabrini Medical Center in Manhattan. But Jim's legacy will continue under the guidance of his wife, Dr Alison Cronin. Monkey World has set up a UK registered charity in memory of Jim to continue his legacy.

In January 2008 Monkey World rescued, in probably the world's biggest primate rescue mission, 88 capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) from a laboratory in Santiago, Chile. Some of the monkeys had lived in the lab for twenty years and some were born there. All were kept in small individual cages that were hung on the wall. They had no outdoor or natural areas and had never seen daylight. The monkeys were used for biomedical and/or pharmaceutical research. In Monkey World the capuchins were rehabilitated into four separate natural living groups in outdoor enclosures that accommodated their needs, a process of months.

At Monkey World they rehabilitate the primates that are rescued from illegal (pet) trade and research facilities, into large social groups if necessary, but they keep the females on birth control. They do not allow their animals to breed in order to have the space and funding to rescue others, as there are still many primates that need rescuing. Two exceptions are made though. Adult mixed groups are allowed to have one baby every 4-5 years as the infant is an important part of the group and contributes to expression of normal behaviour and therefore is essential for their welfare. Another exception is made for the species that are involved in the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP). For this species it is essential that they breed to contribute to the goals of the EEPs. Monkey World takes part in the EEPs for Bornean orangutans, golden-cheeked gibbons and woolly monkeys.

Monkey World has teamed up with the Pingtung Rescue Centre for Endangered Wild Animals in Taiwan to try to stop the smuggling of gibbons and orang-utans from the wild. Both institutes were the driving force behind the start in 2008 of Dao Tien Rescue Centre for Primate Species in southern Vietnam, where amongst others rehabilitation in situ takes place. Furthermore, Monkey World has set up a charity, the Endangered Asian Species Trust (EAST), to support conservation work in south-east Asia. Last but not least Monkey World works with governments around the world to halt the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia.

(Sources: monkeyworld.org; jimcroninmemorialfund.org; Monkey World guide book; Jeremy & Amy by Jeremy Keeling, 2010; Wikipedia)

Visit(s)

30.08.2011

Monkey World's map is fairly simple in design with more or less one walkway from the entrance to the rear end of the park where the Great Ape (children's) play area is situated. Large enclosures can be found on both sides of the walkway, so finding your way around is quite straightforward.

Their animal collection is very stable as you might expect from a rescue centre. There will be an increase in the number of individuals that are taken care of when primates are rescued from an unacceptable situation, and sometimes animals will die of old age or sickness. But overall, there will not be a high turnover of animals as they will not be breeding animals, because Monkey World's mission is to rehabilitate the primates and keep the females on birth control. There are still many primates that need rescuing and, for this reason, they do not allow their animals to breed in order to have the space and funding to rescue others. Two exceptions are made though. Adult mixed groups are allowed to have one baby every 4-5 years as the infant is an important part of the group and contributes to expression of normal behaviour and therefore is essential for their welfare. Another exception is made for the species that are involved in the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP). For this species it is essential that they breed to contribute to the goals of the EEPs. Monkey World takes part in the EEP for Bornean orangutans, golden-cheeked gibbons and woolly monkeys. Especially their track record with breeding woolly monkeys is very good, when you consider that this species is notoriously difficult to breed. To achieve these results they give the woolly monkeys two different outdoor enclosures and complex housing connected with many tunnels to keep the animals as relaxed and healthy as possible.

The species
Eight species of monkeys and prosimians are housed in Monkey World from South America, Africa and Asia as well: capuchin monkeys, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys, common marmosets, cotton-top tamarins, ring-tailed lemurs, ruffed lemur, and stump-tailed macaques.

Five different species of gibbon represent the lesser ape: lar gibbon, agile gibbon, golden-cheeked gibbon, Mueller's gibbon, and siamang gibbons. From the greater apes they keep chimpanzees and two different species of orangutans, Bornean and Sumatran, in three groups. Furthermore, Monkey World is home to Europe's only orangutan crèche.

The park is home to the largest group of chimpanzees outside of Africa, living in 4 different large social groups: Butch's bachelor group, Hananya's, Paddy's and Sally's chimpanzees. The namesake being the group leader or in case of the group of young chimps, the good and caring adoptive mother Sally who is also a very good role model for the young ones.

Enclosures and enrichment
It is obvious that the enclosures are designed to allow the primates to move as natural as possible, as they would in the wild. The outdoor facilities for the orangutans, like all other new outdoor enclosures at Monkey World, are spacious enclosures with a rim at the top of the fence to prevent the animals from breaking out in a specific design that I have never seen before. The enclosures are not necessarily pleasing to the eye. We are not talking Hagenbeck type enclosures here, or landscape immersion exhibits, but they are designed with the animals in mind and therefore fit-for-purpose. Much attention have been paid to environmental enrichment, although heavy duty equipment was necessary to use. Telephone poles, recycled plastic lumber and fire hoses are used in different manners to make climbing facilities with hammocks, swings, bridges and walkways. And of course all of the primates are provided with appropriate sleeping sites and nesting material. Furthermore, they say they redecorate and change the enclosures every year (to prevent boredom?). To facilitate the primates in expressing their natural behaviour also requires feeding enrichment. So they challenge the monkeys and apes with feeding puzzles the staff designs and develops themselves.

Capuchins
In January 2008 Monkey World rescued 88 capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) from a laboratory in Santiago, Chile. Todate, 84 capuchin monkeys, including several rescued from the UK pet trade, live in four separate groups at the park. Their lovely outdoor enclosures must have been frightening at first for the 'lab rats', but they are fully at ease in those exhibits now. Their indoor enclosures though, have bare concrete floors and walls, hardly any bottom covering material, but fortunately lots of different climbing enrichment features.

Lemurs
The lemurs are housed in a walk-through exhibit, that looks as if trees have been felled in a dense forest which resulted in a large open area with still plenty of large trees left. It is occupied by a group of ten ring-tailed lemurs, outcasts from zoos and some born in Monkey World, and one ruffed lemur.

Butch's bachelor group
A group of 15 bachelor chimpanzees (Pan trochlodytes) is housed in a large fenced off enclosure somewhere in the middle of the park, adjacent to Paddy's group of 20 individuals which comprises male and female chimps. The grassy terrain lacks natural trees, but the enclosure contains plenty of artificial climbing enrichment, such as platforms, slings of different shapes and materials, and hollow pipes. There is only one viewing window in a rather secluded area for the visitors to watch the animals, in order to prevent disturbance to the group as much as possible and still provide viewing opportunities. While watching the animals secretly like a real voyeur, it made me feel guilty about the stressful situations these animals have been in before they came to Monkey World. This group of chimpanzees comprises males that did not fit into any other group. These chimpanzees have been offered a safe haven coming from different situations and places worldwide. Most were victim of the tourist industry in Spain, while a few were relocated from Windsor Safari Park when it closed down.

Every bachelor chimp has got its history mentioned on a panel above the viewing window. Most of them have been abused, physically or psychologically, by its fellow primate, homo sapiens, and a few of their stories give some idea of the atrocities these animals have gone through:
Butch
He is a male chimpanzee who was used as a photographer's prop in Spain. He arrived at Monkey World in September 1989, and they estimated that he was born during 1983. Butch has quite a strong personality, but gets on well with the others and has become the dominant chimp in the bachelor group.

Kyko
Kyko is a male chimpanzee who also was used as a photographer's prop in Spain. He arrived at Monkey World in July 1991, and he was born during 1987. His previous owner in Spain dragged him around on roller skates which did not fit his feet and, as a result, Kyko was crippled when he first arrived at the park. With proper exercise, Kyko's feet and legs are fine now and he is a very sociable chimp that gets along with the others.

Mojo
Mojo is another male chimpanzee used as a photographer's prop in Spain. He arrived at Monkey World in July 1991, and they estimated that he was born during 1988. His previous owner tried to keep Mojo quiet by giving him valium, so when he arrived at the park he was an addict. Mojo keeps himself out of trouble and gets on well with the others in the group.

Çarli
Çarli (pronounced Charlie) is a male chimpanzee who arrived at Monkey World on 24.05.2002 and was born on 20.11.1993 in the USA. He was captive born and removed from his mother for the entertainment industry. Çarli appeared in films and also worked on a Turkish television series. His last owners recognised that he needed a family of his own kind and allowed him to retire at Monkey World.

Gibbons
Gibbons can be found in several enclosures spread around the park. On the rear end of the park lar gibbons (Hylobates lar) can be found. Kitty, one of the lar gibbon females is housed there together with Paul, the sole male agile gibbon of Monkey World, and they seem to get along quite well.

Most of the golden-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae) kept in the park are animals rescued from the illegal pet trade, although two arrived from other zoos (Doue la Fontaine Zoo in France and Los Angeles Zoo). Some of these rescued individuals take part in the EEP and increase the genetic diversity of the species in this breeding programme because they are, though illegally, still sourced from the wild. A few of these rescued beauties are allowed to enjoy a forest-like environment they lived in in a former life, because they occupy a piece of real natural forest with a canopy. Together with two Mueller's gibbons (Hylobates muelleri) they must feel very lucky in the enclosure farthest away from the entrance.

The other gibbon enclosures are different from this excellent natural environment, with the oldest ones being cage-like constructs of which several are interconnected to provide more space. Of course, ample foliage and different kind of enrichment is provided. But honestly, not really fit-for-purpose considering these primates live in treetops and like to swing their way through life. A more modern gibbon outdoor enclosure can be seen closer to the entrance, and is a very large open-topped enclosure like the chimpanzee and orangutan enclosures with many environmental enrichment features.

As mentioned before Monkey World is not a zoological park but a rescue centre, nevertheless they are a full member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Their primary objective differs from other members of EAZA, but the outcome of their work in rescuing and raising awareness about endangered wild animals on a global level is comparable to many zoos' conservation and education efforts concerning wild fauna. Their research contribution may be less, but recreation is guaranteed at Monkey World. Not being able to attract as many visitors as zoos do with newborn animals, because breeding is not part of their mission, they have to be inventive and introduce other kinds of moneymakers. Apart from the meetings and conferences that can be hosted they have a Wedding License, which means that you can marry at Monkey World. Already for more than a decade the park have been the subject of a television programme called Monkey Business, a documentaries series now called Monkey Life following day-to-day drama in the park. One big advertisement, so to speak, running for many years, in over 140 countries worldwide. In addition they have a very informative and educational website with an online giftshop, and an animal adoption programme that is accessible to all budgets. But most of all they are doing a hell of a good job rescuing those primates!