Returning to Five this week for a new run of programmes is the documentary series following the day-to-day lives of the 252 monkeys, chimps, orangutans and other animals that live in one of the largest primate rescue centre 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 the first episode of the new series on Monday, nerves are running high in the chimp nursery as the team prepares new arrival Bryan for his first encounter with Seamus – one of the park’s naughtiest residents. Elsewhere, it is time for baby orangutan Dinda to move into the orang nursery full-time, and the adult orangutans have fun with some giant ice-lollies!

In Tuesday’s instalment, animal manager Jeremy is in Paris to collect a baby orang-utan called Lingga. When she arrives in Dorset, Lingga will be joining Monkey World’s ever-expanding orang crèche. In Paddy’s chimp group, meanwhile, all hell breaks loose over a giant fruity freeze! And Alison says her goodbyes to Julio, the woolly monkey she hand-reared from birth.

Wednesday’s programme sees young orangutan Lingga lose her usual confidence when she arrives at the crèche. An operation on Bryan the chimp’s teeth reveals the damage caused by his traumatic past life. And, though she may be 21 years old, stump-tailed macaque Koko needs a helping hand from Jeremy at bedtime.

On Thursday, Lingga meets her new housemates, but young Joly is consumed by jealousy. In the chimp bachelor pad, a pile of blankets brings out Buxom’s greedy side! And chimpanzee Jimmy has a very serious leg wound.

And in this week’s final episode, on Friday, orangutan youngster Hsiao-Ning goes crazy after eating too much sugary fruit, while little chimp Eddi struggles to get her hands on any treats at all. Elsewhere, animal manager Jeremy prepares to take a huge risk to help Jimmy with his leg wound.