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Monkey World’s founder Jim dies

8:35am Tuesday 20th March 2007

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JIM Cronin, the founder of Monkey World ape rescue centre, has lost his battle against liver cancer.

The world-renowned primate expert died in hospital in his native New York at the weekend, his wife and fellow conservationist Alison by his side. He was 55.

Staff at the primate sanctuary near Wool were recently told that Jim had been diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year while travelling with his wife, but despite intensive chemotherapy treatment started a month ago, he succumbed to the disease on Saturday.

Stunned colleagues and staff at Monkey World were told of his death yesterday.

As Jim fought the rare primary liver cancer in hospital, Alison and members of his family in New York had been joined by Jim's daughter Eleanor and close friend and Monkey World colleague Jeremy Keeling.

It is expected that Dr Cronin - who ran the popular 67-acre rescue centre and tourist attraction with her husband since they married in the mid-90s - will return to Monkey World later this week with Jim's ashes, which are expected to be buried at the sanctuary he created and loved.

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Vicki Bridger, isle of wight says...
10:07am Tue 20 Mar 07

What a huge loss. Such an incredible man, who did so much good. I am deeply saddened by the news.

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nicola, weymouth says...
10:20am Tue 20 Mar 07

extreamly saddened to her of the passing of such a great commited man who gave his life to the protection and rehabilitation of our closest relatives. i hope alison pays tribute to jim by continuing his good work at monkey world. my thoughts are with alison, his family, friends and collegues at this time

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jon & nadine, southampton says...
10:55am Tue 20 Mar 07

this is a massively sad loss...but the legacy that jim has helped to create with alison will forever benefit both primate and human generations alike.

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ian, says...
10:55am Tue 20 Mar 07

Very sad loss,done some great work and I am sure he enjoyed doing all that he accomplished. Thoughts to his family at this time.

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Joan & Alan, West Knighton says...
11:00am Tue 20 Mar 07

Devastated to hear such sad news.Such a dedicated man who will be sadly missed. Our thought go out to Alison,family,friends and collegues.

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MARK @PAULINE, WEYMOUTH says...
11:16am Tue 20 Mar 07

A GREAT MAN WILL BE SADLY MISSED. WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR ALL HIS RELENTLESS WORK TO SAVE THE PRIMATES. OUR THOUGHTS GO TO ALISON AND FAMILY.

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Pippa Aldworth, Charborough Park says...
11:36am Tue 20 Mar 07

Hey Apple (Eleanor Cronin), I just want you to know that Im here for you as your friend for whenever you want to chat and meet up. Please take care of yourself and your family.

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Nikki, Gosport Hants says...
11:47am Tue 20 Mar 07

JIM WILL BE MISSED GREATLY BY ALL INVOLVED IN THE GREAT WORK THAT HIMSELF, ALISON, JEREMY & THE REST OF THE STAFF TEAM HAVE DONE. MONKEY WORLD WILL REMAIN A FANTASTIC PLACE WHERE ALL THE PRIMATES WILL BE HAPPY & CARED FOR. HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE SAVING SUCH WONDERFUL ANIMALS, FOR THIS WE WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL.

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Claire Burgess, Worthing, West Sussex says...
11:56am Tue 20 Mar 07

I am devestated to hear this news, Jim was such a wonderful man who did so much good. He and Alison were clearly so devoted to each other and along with Jeremy and staff to all the apes they rescued all over the world. I can't believe this has not been headline news - when Steve Irwin tragically died it was everywhere - Jim deserves the same he did just as much. A very sad day indeed. He deserved so much more. In my heart and prayers his family and all at Monkey World. x x

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Mrs G.F.Simpkins, London says...
12:27pm Tue 20 Mar 07

Jim was a wonderful man. He will be greatley missed by many people. I have spoken to Jim a number of times I have been to Monkey World. I have had my photograph taken with him. On the 7th July, 2005 the day of the London Bombings I was at Monkey World. Jim came over to the people at Monkey World and told us what had happened in London. I am very glad that Jim and Alison started Monkey World 20 years ago this year to help the primates, that idiots abuse such as a photo prop of Spanish Beaches. I have three adopted chimpanzees at Monkey World, they are Charlie, Chatta and Bryan. Thank you Jim for all the hard work you have done for the animals at Monkey World.Mrs G.F.Simpkins.

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Hilary, Maidstone says...
12:33pm Tue 20 Mar 07

What a sad loss. Jim, Alison and the Monkey World team have done so much work to improve the lives of some many animals. I shall miss seeing him wandering round the park.

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Max, Dorset says...
12:49pm Tue 20 Mar 07

Personal views aside ^^ Jim did a fantastic job saving chimps and primates. He should be congratulated. I hope the centre continues to thrive and his wife and team carry on their amazing work. Sad news :(

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Steve& Sammy, Hampshire says...
1:39pm Tue 20 Mar 07

We've followed Monkey World through the Series...It a Fantastic idea. Our Thoughts are with his Family, Staff & Residents.

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kitty, Gosport says...
1:46pm Tue 20 Mar 07

rest in peace Jim , you were a gret roll model, for alot of people you showed that looking after such amazing creature is a great achievement . kind thoughts to Alison for her Loss !

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Liz & Karl Benson, The Wirral says...
1:49pm Tue 20 Mar 07

Sad, sad news.... Jim was an amazing man for all his work not only at Monkey World but with sanctuaries all over the world. Our love and thoughts go to Alison, Eleanor, Jim, Mike, and all the wonderful staff and primates at Monkey World.... May his work live on!

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Liz Benson, The Wirral says...
1:51pm Tue 20 Mar 07

I'm sorry, I meant my thoughts were with Jeremy, Mike etc.... too upset to think straight.

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Jen, Medway,Kent says...
2:46pm Tue 20 Mar 07

Very shocked to hear of Jim's death. A very cruel blow - a man who did so much for the welfare of primates. We visited Monkey World on a regular basis and have been adoptive parents of Pip and Ben since they were born. We often spotted Jim and Alison and they had time for everyone. Monkey World will be a sad place without Jim but hopefully Alison will continue the fantastic work in Jim's memory which would make him so proud. I am sure there are some very sad people at Monkey World right now.

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Debbi, Dorchester says...
2:47pm Tue 20 Mar 07

Had the pleasure of meeting Jim a couple of years ago when our daughter fundraised for monkey world, any one of the keepers could have accepted the cheque but he came along and hugged her and we took photos. I was very saddened to hear this news this morning,

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jacqui, brighton says...
2:55pm Tue 20 Mar 07

This is indeed a sad day for all apes around the world, they have lost a friend who would stop at nothing to rescue them from their torture, I am sure that everbody that has ever been to monkey world thinks the same, it is indeed a very sad loss for all concerned

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Adrian & Lisa, Bournemouth says...
2:59pm Tue 20 Mar 07

Very sad news and a great loss our thoughts are with his wife Alison and his family and friends.

Our deepest sympathy

Adrian & Lisa

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mrs p thomas, home says...
3:18pm Tue 20 Mar 07

it is very sad news about jim a great man .best wishes to allison help her as she copes with life .

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amanda taylor, ashford kent says...
3:29pm Tue 20 Mar 07

I am shocked to hear that Jim has lost his battle with cancer, it seems another fantastic conservationist has left too soon. I enjoyed watching Jim's tv programme and seeing the antics of the chimps, how he exposed the high levels of abuse that these primates endured throughout the world and how he has campaigned relentlessley
for them. To see an animal then taken to monkey world and to see the vast improvement in their wellbeing was truly heartwarming. I cannot believe that there is nothing on the net about the loss of a truly remarkable man. He will be missed, heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Alison.

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ILLNESS: Jim Cronin ILLNESS: Jim Cronin

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