A CHIMPANZEE smuggled from Africa to Thailand as part of the illegal wildlife trade has started a new life in Dorset.

The female chimp, called Natalie, has been safely rehomed at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre after living under the care of Thailand's department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation since 2003.

Thai authorities rescued her 15 years ago, but up until now she has been cared for on her own at a government breeding centre.

Prior to 2003 Natalie, formerly known as Naree, was being exploited in a circus show at a Thai amusement park.

Monkey World Director Dr Alison Cronin, who has worked hard to secure Natalie's Dorset relocation, first met the female chimp at the park in 2003.

Recalling that meeting, Dr Cronin said: "She had all her teeth knocked out and her face was deformed.

"She was dressed up and trained to pull an orang-utan and a tiger around the circus in a rickshaw.

"It was a desperate, tragic sight. I called out to Naree with chimpanzee calls and she came over to me at the side of the ring. We were desperate to help her but the amusement park would not let her go.

"It is amazing that after 15 years Monkey World is finally able to give Natalie a family of her own and specialist care."

Experts says that due to her past mistreatment, a direct result of the illegal wildlife trade, Natalie cannot be released to the wild.

Thailand's environment minister, General Surasuk Karnjanarat, pushed through Natalie's Dorset move - after consultation with the British Embassy in Bangkok - on the eve of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London.

Pinsak Suraswadi, deputy director general of Thailand's department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation, said: "We are pleased to partner with the British government to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

"The wellbeing of wildlife after confiscation is also an important factor in the aftermath which we must consider.

"I am happy that Natalie has a chance to be with her own kind."

Natalie, estimated to be 20-25 years old, is settling in to her new home at Monkey World.

She's already met a member of her new chimpanzee family, Lulu, who was rescued from a Cypriot circus.

Dr Cronin said: "Wildlife trafficking is a global problem that needs addressing on an international scale.

"We are pleased to work with the Thai authorities, Thai and UK CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) offices, Love Wildlife Thailand and the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund for Primate Welfare & Conservation, to support conservation globally and to give Natalie an adopted family that she needs and deserves after being stolen from the wild all those years ago."