monkey life(11/14)
18.30–19.00

Concluding on Five this week is the series that follows the day-to-day lives of the 160 monkeys, chimps, orangutans and other primates that live in one of the largest rescue centres in the world: the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset.

Filmed over the course of a year, the series explores the rescue and rehabilitation stories of some of the world’s most abused and neglected primates, and finds out how the staff – including animal manger Jeremy and keepers Emma, Paul and Mike – look after their furry charges. The series recounts the centre’s funniest and most shocking stories, alongside animal dramas of all kinds.

Monkey Life also documents the hard work of the late Jim Cronin and his wife, Alison, in their mission to stop the illegal smuggling of these animals. Jim founded Monkey World, which he and Alison built from a small refuge to a 65-acre wildlife park that is now home to more than 160 rescued primates and 15 different species.

In today’s programme, Jim and Alison are on a special trip to Cancún in Mexico. They have travelled 5,000 miles on a rescue mission to collect a lively three-year-old chimp named Bryan, who has been mistreated by his owner. With the help of the Mexican authorities, the young chimp has been confiscated, pending his removal to the UK. While in Mexico, Alison also pursues the case of an adult chimpanzee called Coco, who belongs to the same owner. Can she convince the authorities to save another desperate chimp?

In Wednesday’s show, Bryan recovers from his journey from Mexico and settles in to his new home. One of his first tasks will be to learn how to peel fruit for himself, as meals at the rescue centre are strictly self-service! Elsewhere at Monkey World, there is a medical crisis for chimpanzee Joline when her loss of hair, stiff joints and lack of appetite prompt the vets’ concern. With medical tests proving inconclusive, will exploratory surgery get to the bottom of her problem?

Thursday’s instalment sees the vets examining 17-year-old chimpanzee Freddie, who does not seem to be his usual boisterous self. The vets think the problem could lie in the primate’s bowels, so they order an internal investigation using a fibre optic camera to examine his intestines. Meanwhile, in the nursery, the centre’s staff are delighted when youngsters Pip and Ben venture outside to play for the first time. Both chimps have been nervous about the outside world, so this display of confidence represents a massive step forward for the pair.

The rescue centre’s staff and residents prepare to say their goodbyes on Friday in the last edition of the series. Jim comes to the aid of cheerful chimp Charlie, who is being picked on by the other males in his group. As it is the park’s mission to ensure that all the primates are happy, Jim has come to see the situation for himself. He also admits to having a soft spot for Charlie, who was one of his first rescues. Can Jim help Charlie out? Elsewhere, Mexican chimp Bryan meets his foster mum Sally. No one is sure if Bryan has been around another chimpanzee before, so how will he react to his new mother?