Jim Cronin, founder of Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre, passed away on 17 March 2007 at Cabrini Medical Centre in Manhattan. Jim established himself as an international expert in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused primates and the enforcement of international treaties aimed at protecting primates from illegal trade, exploitation, and abuse.  In his loving memory, the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund has been established to continue Jim’s legacy and support primate welfare and conservation around the world.

Born and raised in Yonkers, New York, Jim was a resident of Great Britain for more than two decades where he and his wife, Dr Alison Cronin, operated the internationally renowned Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre.  Jim and Alison built Monkey World from a small refuge to a 65 acre wildlife park that is home to over 250 rescued primates and more than 20 different species, and it is rated as one of the most popular family destinations in England. 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.

The well-loved television series, Monkey Business and Monkey Life, have documented their frequent rescue missions, undercover investigations, and the soap opera that is the lives of the rescued monkeys and apes, for more than a decade. 

Jim opened Monkey World on 7 August 1987, having previously worked as a primate keeper. He had read about the plight of chimpanzees that had been poached from the wild and were sold on the black market to be used as beach photographer’s props in Spain. At that time a British couple, Simon and Peggy Templer, were taking in young chimpanzees that had been confiscated by the Spanish authorities, but there were  many more working chimps and they were all going to grow up into large, dangerous, wild animals. Jim 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. Having secured a small business loan, Jim approached Jeremy Keeling to work with him to rescue and rehabilitate chimpanzees. Most people thought it would never work – it would cost too much and the apes would be too abused and crazy to rehabilitate – but Jim had a mission.

When the park first opened the site was desolate, having been used as a pig farm many years prior. From the beginning, Jim knew that the park and its mission would be embraced by visitors if they knew what he was trying to achieve. Expanding the rescue operations, designing and building new facilities for the monkeys and apes, and encouraging others to join him in his mission in those early days, was made possible with Jeremy caring for the new arrivals.

Jim had a passion for life and the conservation of wildlife that was an inspiration to all who knew him. His enthusiasm was infectious and he will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Jim’s legacy will continue under the guidance of his devoted wife, Dr Alison Cronin. Monkey World, and the numerous projects Jim and Alison set up globally, will continue as a fitting memorial to a man whose life touched so many around the world.

Donations can be made to the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund for Primate Welfare and Conservation, Charity No. 1126939 and sent to:

Jim Cronin Memorial Fund

Hethfelton House

Hethfelton 

Wareham

Dorset

BH20 6HS

Telephone Number 01929 462487

We thank everyone for their continued support.