‘Jim was full of energy and passion’
8:04am Wednesday 21st March 2007
Comments (21)BUSINESS continued as usual at Monkey World while shocked staff paid tribute to its founder Jim Cronin.
Subdued staff went about their work caring for the animals as usual yesterday while visitors braved the cold to admire the animals.
Senior keeper Mike Colbourne said that he thought the shock of Mr Cronin's death had not sunk in yet.
He described the reaction of the staff to the sad news as "absolutely shocked and gutted".
Mr Colbourne, who has been working at Monkey World for 10 years, said: "Jim Cronin was Monkey World.
"But Monkey World will continue because we still have animals to look after. It is what he would have wanted."
He paid tribute to Mr Cronin's dedication and determination to save animals.
He said: "I have the greatest admiration for him. No one of a lesser character could have achieved what he has done."
Mr Colbourne remembered how Mr Cronin had a very hands-on approach to managing Monkey World and how he knew every animal individually.
He added: "If an animal was sick and should not be on display, Jim would close that section of the park even on a bank holiday because the animals always came first. This is their retirement home."
He said that Mr Cronin and his wife Alison would investigate all the reports of animal cruelty that came flooding into the offices at Monkey World.
Recently they were horrified by seeing orang-utans boxing in Thailand and were campaigning to rescue them.
Monkey World spokesman Jez Hermer said: "Jim was a larger than life character. He was full of energy and passion.
"If he had not been so full of energy he would not have been able to achieve the amazing things he has achieved."
He said Monkey World would stand as a lasting tribute to Mr Cronin and that when his wife Alison returned from America she would consider some sort of a memorial.
He said: "There will be a huge hole in Alison's life but she will be able to carry on their work."
Mr Hermer was confident that Monkey World would continue without Mr Cronin.
Staff at Monkey World have set up a fund as a legacy to Mr Cronin.
* Full details of the fund and how to contribute are online at monkeyworld.org
Your Say YourThisisdorset
Su & family, Poole says...
11:55pm Wed 21 Mar 07
If tears could build a Stairway and memories a Lane,
We'd walk right upto Heaven and bring you Home Again!
We will never forget you or your amazing achievements.
Stewart & Cheryl, Woodford, Northamptonshire says...
1:57am Thu 22 Mar 07
Sharon Parfitt, Dorset says...
8:10pm Thu 22 Mar 07
Becky, london says...
11:02pm Sat 24 Mar 07
I can't believe this. Another great man gone. Another wife who's lost her beloved husband. I saw the couple walking around the park during both our last visits. It's so hard knowing that another rock-solid icon in animal conservation has passed on. I just can't believe it. My thoughts and prayers are with Alison and the animals at the park. Both have lost so much.
Alan, Dunderland says...
9:10pm Mon 26 Mar 07
J_Ken Crozier, says...
2:10am Sat 31 Mar 07
Its what makes it all real
for the rest of us,
but well never get used to it,
and there ll be another Pepi,
therell be somebody else,
therell be another chimp,
and therell be good times ...
...and youre also gonna get your
heart broken.
Jim Cronin
speaking on Monkey Business after having to get Pepi put to sleep
There must be a lot of chimp hearts broken now and mine too.
sas, says...
6:21pm Sat 31 Mar 07
J_Ken Crozier wrote:when he said that I cried :( Now I can't stop crying...
Its what makes it all real for the rest of us, but well never get used to it, and there ll be another Pepi, therell be somebody else, therell be another chimp, and therell be good times ... ...and youre also gonna get your heart broken.Jim Cronin speaking on Monkey Business after having to get Pepi put to sleep There must be a lot of chimp hearts broken now and mine too.
Phil Hendy, Swindon says...
12:49pm Wed 4 Apr 07
latif family, north east UK says...
12:00pm Mon 9 Apr 07
My heart goes out to Allison, Jeremy, His daughter Elenor and all his family and friends and of course all the primates whose lives he made happier
we will travel to Dorset from Cleveland when they hold the open day / memorial day to Jim his life is worth remembering and comemorating
jo, glasgow scotland says...
6:37pm Wed 11 Apr 07
Claire, Nottinghamshire says...
3:05pm Thu 12 Apr 07
Shirley, says...
12:48am Sun 15 Apr 07
You only needed to se how they all reacted to him.
Alison you had one very special companion.
May he rest in peace.
Debborah, North Somerset says...
10:42am Mon 16 Apr 07
Suzanne, Cornwall says...
12:25am Sat 21 Apr 07
Tracey and Sharon Murtagh, says...
12:38pm Mon 23 Apr 07
yvette georgiou, says...
7:55pm Sun 29 Apr 07
Beryl Dexter, Kent says...
12:30am Tue 1 May 07
Jill Pampling, east sussex says...
6:02pm Tue 1 May 07
Wil, says...
9:14pm Fri 18 May 07
I was shocked wenn I saw the message on your site. Once in a few month I visite your site, so it is untill now that I hear of Jim's dead. I am really shocked. I don't know how I have to make a condoleance in English, but I want you to know that I will think of you. I hope the power and positif fanatism of Jim will support you in going on with the fabulous work.
Wil van der Kruk
Zwolle
the Netherlands
u027457, swindon says...
1:33pm Thu 14 Jun 07
ADMIRATION: Senior keeper Mike Colbourne
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Jorge, Hamworthy says...
6:05pm Wed 21 Mar 07