Throng

Weekdays at 6.30pm

Concluding on Five this week is the documentary series following the day-to-day lives of over 250 monkeys, chimps, orangutans and other animals that live in one of the largest primate rescue centres in the world.

Set in 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. Each episode focuses on the unwavering hard work of Alison Cronin and her team in their ongoing mission to stop the illegal smuggling of primates from the wild.

Since its doors were first opened, Monkey World has rescued primates from 18 different countries all over the world. The most recent country to benefit from the centre’s work is Chile, where animals were being used in laboratories, as exotic pets, as photographers’ props and as circus animals. Once the animals have been safely transferred to Devon, the primate care staff at Monkey World ensure that their charges are given the best possible love and attention for the rest of their lives.

In the week’s opening episode on Monday, young chimp Ben loses one of his infected toes. Just as Ben’s health is improving, another chimp in Hananya’s house is struck down by the mysterious bacterial infection – and it is serious. Resident capuchin TJ is settling in very well with the ladies, while his South American housemates are still learning how to forage for food. Elsewhere, primate care staff hide hard-boiled eggs for the capuchins to find, and animal director Jeremy has a run-in with feisty female orangutan Lingga.

In Tuesday’s instalment, Mueller’s gibbons Adidas and Dalumie head for the treetops for the first time. Peanut, Pung-Yo and Tien, the endangered golden-cheeked gibbons, have an outdoor enclosure next door. Will Adidas and Dalumie take to their new home? Meanwhile, Hananya decides to show his group how to display themselves on trees. And despite medical attention, Freddy’s bowel complaint does not improve. Can a specialist doctor help?

In a special episode on Wednesday, Alison travels to Dao Tien island in Vietnam, where Monkey World has opened a foreign sanctuary for endangered primates. Alison meets Ellie, a young golden-cheeked gibbon who is the latest arrival at the centre. Elsewhere, the team has received a tip- off. Two rare black-shanked douc langurs are being kept in a large theme park just outside Ho Chi Minh City. It is up to Alison to convince the park director the animals need to be saved from extinction.

In Thursday’s episode, balding stump-tailed macaque Jonathan gets some protection. Jonathan’s hair loss is due to overly enthusiastic grooming from the high-ranking members of the troop, who will not leave him alone! Elsewhere, the park loses beloved capuchin monkey Tom. Alpha male of the rescued capuchins at the park, Tom was the boss until 88 capuchins came over from Chile. Tom lived at the park for seven years but nobody was sure how old he was. And the bachelor chimps get walnuts, but Jestah gets more than his fair share. Usually the chimps munch through melons as treats between meals, but they are just as enthusiastic about these tough nuts!

In the final instalment of the series on Friday, disturbing footage reveals an adult female chimpanzee in Mexico who needs the park’s help. Twenty-year-old Coco is one of hundreds of chimps working in the tourist industry. Alison is gearing up for the rescue and the authorities are involved. Elsewhere, the nursery chimps have a ball in a colourful play session, and even Lulu wants to play! And baby orangutan Kai shows he is getting all grown up and independent. Amy is keen to play for a change, but Kai is not so sure about letting her join in.