| ARROWS ARE COMING |  | | | VIEW FROM THE HILL | | | | AT THE CINEMA | | | | STAGE AND MUSIC GUIDE | | |
|
|
|
Dynamic and dedicated
 |
| MONKEYING AROUND: Jim and wife Alison during a break from filming popular TV show Monkey Business |
THE death of Monkey World founder Jim Cronin has sent shock waves through the conservation world of which he was so much a part.
His contemporaries in the field have paid tribute to a man of "energy and dynamism", who, for the last 20 years, devoted himself to the rescue and protection of primates.
The news that he lost his battle with liver cancer at the weekend has left many in mourning, not only for a respected campaigner, who would never turn away an animal in need, but also for a friend.
Cyril Rosen, secretary of the International Primate Protection League, knew Jim from Monkey World's earliest days when he took in his first nine apes, all rescued from beach photographers in Spain.
He said: "Since then I have turned to him many times - almost beyond count. Whenever there was an animal in trouble he would help, not only taking them in, but also in arranging collection and transport.
"And he would always take on the most challenging cases that couldn't be found homes anywhere else."
He added: "At times he disagreed with me very strongly. But even when his ideas were very different to yours they were still not wrong. Most advances in captive environments have come from individuals like that. It takes mavericks like Jim to take things one stage further forward."
Ian Redmond, chairman of the Ape Alliance, said: "My abiding image of Jim is a man of enormous energy and dedication, whatever he was doing. He had great imagination and ideas.
"He is a great loss to the world of primate conservation. Jim was extremely good at overcoming obstacles, be they bureaucratic, physical and financial, with his dogged perseverance. From nothing he created a sanctuary which has grown to be the biggest in the UK and one of the biggest in the world.
"Whenever there was a primate in danger, he was prepared to move heaven and earth to effect a rescue. That led him into extremely dangerous situations - the people whose illegal businesses he was affecting might well have taken revenge. It is very sad he has been taken away from us by an illness after he came through all of that."
He added: "On behalf of all my colleagues I would like to pay tribute to his work, and the work of the team at Monkey World."
Will Travers, chief executive of the Born Free Foundation, said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Jim Cronin. Jim was a great ape champion for all his working life and was one of those rare individuals who was willing to go the extra mile for our non-human cousins. We are confident that his life's work will be carried on by Alison, his wife, and the Monkey World team. We send them all our sincere condolences and thoughts at this sad time."
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said: "Jim Cronin worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of primates in captivity, including those kept as pets by people in the UK. His dedication to the conservation and welfare of all primates will be missed and IFAW's deepest sympathy goes out to his family."
8:06am Wednesday 21st March 2007
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Mrs. B. Davis, Wimborne on 9:28am Wed 21 Mar 07
I cannot believe that such a wonderful man like Jim Cronin could be taken from this life so early. He had so much to offer. Even when I was visitng Fota Wildlife Park in Cork Ireland staff at the park spoke about Monkey World and it was their dream to visit and meet the great man. May he rest in peace. God bless you and may monkeyworld live on forever.
I cannot believe that such a wonderful man like Jim Cronin could be taken from this life so early. He had so much to offer. Even when I was visitng Fota Wildlife Park in Cork Ireland staff at the park spoke about Monkey World and it was their dream to visit and meet the great man. May he rest in peace. God bless you and may monkeyworld live on forever.
Posted by: Darren on 9:37am Wed 21 Mar 07
Jim was, is an always will be an inspiration to me of how we must protect and ensure the survival of primates on the Planet.
My heart and sympathy goes out to his wife Alison and also the people who Jim touched during his life, thank you for being the role model that so many of us have appreciated, I will continue to support Monkey World and do my part for the Primates.
Jim was, is an always will be an inspiration to me of how we must protect and ensure the survival of primates on the Planet.
My heart and sympathy goes out to his wife Alison and also the people who Jim touched during his life, thank you for being the role model that so many of us have appreciated, I will continue to support Monkey World and do my part for the Primates.
Posted by: Kerry Knight, Newcastle upon Tyne on 6:23pm Wed 21 Mar 07
I am shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Jim Cronin was obviously a man who cared very deeply for the primates he rescued and for his family and friends. He achieved a great amount with his work at Monkey World and around the world. My heartfealt good wishes to Alison, Eleanor and everyone who knew and loved him. Kerry
I am shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Jim Cronin was obviously a man who cared very deeply for the primates he rescued and for his family and friends. He achieved a great amount with his work at Monkey World and around the world. My heartfealt good wishes to Alison, Eleanor and everyone who knew and loved him. Kerry
Posted by: karen page on 6:40pm Thu 29 Mar 07
[italic]italic[/italic] I am shocked and Saddened by the news that Jim has died. Every year for the past 10 we have visited Monkey world, with my Deaf son. It gives him so much pleasure! we will continue to do so, but the next visit will be very sad.
Rest in peace Jim. you will not be forgotten
I am shocked and Saddened by the news that Jim has died. Every year for the past 10 we have visited Monkey world, with my Deaf son. It gives him so much pleasure! we will continue to do so, but the next visit will be very sad.
Rest in peace Jim. you will not be forgotten
Posted by: LATIF FAMILY on 4:38pm Sat 7 Apr 07
Iam devastated at the loss of a trully selfless man who give so much to our closest relation I met him and am thankful of that he was kind and very unasuming as friendly and even more charming than his on screen image.
My heart goes out to Allison, Jeremy, His daughter and all his family and friends and of course all the primates whose lives he made happier
Iam devastated at the loss of a trully selfless man who give so much to our closest relation I met him and am thankful of that he was kind and very unasuming as friendly and even more charming than his on screen image.
My heart goes out to Allison, Jeremy, His daughter and all his family and friends and of course all the primates whose lives he made happier
Posted by: Shirley McGreal, Summerville SC, USA on 10:40pm Mon 16 Apr 07
All of us at the International Primate Protection League lament the passing of Jim Cronin, so soon after we lost Steve Irwin. We remember meeting Jim in the early days of Monkey World when he offered to take in, and took in, every chimpanzee the late Simon and Peggy Templar could rescue from the Spanish beaches. Jim didn't care that they reached his sanctuary in appalling condition, many with their teeth chiselled out to add to their "shelf-lives" in the photo-tout business. He just worked with them "as is" and many are still alive and well today, thanks to the love and care they received. Much has happened since, but I'll never forget those early days. Godspeed, Jim
All of us at the International Primate Protection League lament the passing of Jim Cronin, so soon after we lost Steve Irwin. We remember meeting Jim in the early days of Monkey World when he offered to take in, and took in, every chimpanzee the late Simon and Peggy Templar could rescue from the Spanish beaches. Jim didn't care that they reached his sanctuary in appalling condition, many with their teeth chiselled out to add to their "shelf-lives" in the photo-tout business. He just worked with them "as is" and many are still alive and well today, thanks to the love and care they received. Much has happened since, but I'll never forget those early days. Godspeed, Jim
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
