The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Monkey Business
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_story_skin/469578%3fformat=html

Screens weeknights at 5:00pm from Monday 24 January
Fri 21 Jan 17:48:35 2005

Join the monkeys from Europe's largest ape sanctuary in TV2's new 
wildlife series Monkey Business screening weeknights at 5.00pm from 
Monday.

Monkey Business goes behind-the-scenes of Monkey World in Dorset, UK. 
Founded by New Yorker Jim Cronin and his wife Alison, Monkey World 
provides a community for 105 of the world's primates. The animals in 
Monkey Business have been sent to Monkey World after suffering abuse 
in illegal pet trades, in world circuses and by Spanish beach 
photographers.

Throughout the series, Monkey Business will follow the adventures of 
Jim and Alison, as well as their head keeper Jeremy and the monkeys 
themselves.  The keepers will be put to the test keeping the park's 
cheeky animals under control - which is no mean feat.

On a daily basis, Jeremy interacts with two groups of monkeys.  The 
first is headed by the 29-year-old chimp, Rodney, who arrived at 
Monkey World after his zoo closed down several years earlier. There 
are problems in Rodney's group, as the females are spiralling out of 
control and Rodney needs help.  Rodney's second-in-charge, Charlie, 
is unable to lead after developing a mental illness on the Spanish 
beaches. Charlie was used as a prop for photos and was taught to 
inject himself with valium. He has subsequently developed a drug 
addiction and cannot command the respect of his fellow monkeys.

Jeremy worries about Charlie on a daily basis. "With our species and 
with chimps, there is a certain amount of competitiveness. Charlie 
isn't competitive, so everybody leaves him alone."

In light of the sad histories of many of the park's residents, Cronin 
is determined that the monkeys are as comfortable in their English 
surroundings as possible. He battled for six years to find the 
funding to begin the park. "The whole thing was doomed and on top of 
having no money, you announce to the world that you're going to 
rescue every chimp, bar none," he says.

Jim and Alison's work paid off, with Monkey World receiving thousands 
of visitors each year. The entrance fees keep the monkeys fed and the 
park running. The now-healthy monkeys now enjoy a lifestyle free of 
pain and suffering.

In the first episode of Monkey Business, Jeremy, Jim and Alison 
experience teething problems with Mike, a new keeper.  Later, there 
are monkey problems to deal with, including love triangles and 
male-versus-female monkey wars.