Continuing this week the documentary series following the day-to-day lives of over 240 monkeys, chimps, orangutans and other animals that live in one of the largest primate rescue centres in the world.

Filmed over the course of a year at the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, the series follows the nail-biting rescue and rehabilitation stories of some of the most abused and neglected primates in the world. It also explores the unwavering hard work of Dr Alison Cronin MBE and her team in their ongoing mission to stop the illegal smuggling of these animals from the wild.

Displaced and abused animals from all over the world are brought together at the centre, where they are given the chance to spend the rest of their days being cared for in a safe, natural environment. From power struggles to bonds of friendship, family feuds to new arrivals, Monkey Life follows the daily dramas of some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet.

In this week’s first episode on Monday, tough love ensures that chimpanzee Bryan learns a painful lesson when he goes outside for the first time. Meanwhile, will woolly monkey Julio be brave enough to take his first steps outdoors? And, in Paddy’s chimp group, Lee gets hands-on with Susie. Could she be pregnant for the second time?

In Tuesday’s instalment, there is a new baby in the woolly-monkey house, but the team is worried about its health. Elsewhere, baby orang-utan Dinda gets to grips with her outside enclosure. And stump-tailed macaque Koko struggles with her living space.

Wednesday’s programme follows the drama as the life of the new woolly-monkey baby hangs in the balance, just 24 hours after its birth. In the chimp nursery, young Bryan is hassled by lovable hooligan Seamus. And in another part of the centre, chimp Charlie is also being picked on. Are his days living with the bachelor group numbered?

On Thursday, Bryan finally makes friends with Seamus. Unfortunately, it is not long before they fall out again. Will this warring pair ever learn to get along? Elsewhere, it is moving day for the gibbons as the park arranges a highly unusual ‘wife swap’.

On Friday, a special edition of the show travels to Vietnam, where Monkey World is embarking on an exciting new project – its first foreign sanctuary for endangered primates. A new gibbon rescue centre is being built to protect these rare animals for the future.