Money Business is another of the programmes on Animal Planet I simply love. Much the same as Meerkat Manor, it is also narrated but with Chimpanzees and other primates.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.ukMonkey Business is about a center for chimps in Dorset, Uk. Run by Jim and Allison Cronin.
Jim and Allison started Monkey World after seeing some chimps who were abused by people thinking that chimps can be kept as pets. A lot of the chimps were rescued from Spain where "chimp trade" was the "in" thing. Especially among photographers. Much like if you go to the seaside on holiday, one of the attractions was having your photo taken with a chimp. At first Jim and Allison started with a few chimps, about 10 or so. But because there are so many of these chimps around they've had to expand. The center is open to the public much like a zoo.
Jim and Allison also took in other primates after it was found that there was abuse amongst them as well.
Watching this programme, one has to wonder what are these primates doing in countries like Spain, Turkey etc. After all the chimp is native to Northern Africa. But of course this won't stop the poachers killing the mothers and taking the babies to sell off for money. And people buy the babies. It never ceases to amaze me, honestly. These chimps eventually grow to be quite boistrous and energetic and from watching them in Monkey World, who is able to control them. Most of the time, once the chimp reaches a certain age, the owner just keeps them chained up or puts them into a cage. It is plain and simply cruel for these chimps. They should be climbing and swinging through trees and vines freely. They were not created as pets.
Exactly the same for the Orang. They are native to Borneo and Sumatra but yet Jim and Allison rescues of the Orang have found themselves travelling to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam to save them. The Orang is generally used as props in circuses. Stupid comes to mind.
At Monkey World there are 3 enclosures with chimp residents. Each with about 18 or so living in the quarters. Each group has a dominant male. Each chimp has also been given names, either by the person who was the previous "owner" before they were given to Monkey World, or by the persons at Monkey World when a baby is born.
In this blog I won't be following up on a new episode or series, because just as you think you're watching a new episode or series, the next time you watch Monkey Business you're watching an old programme you've already watched. I notice from the website that the UK and Ireland are now watching season 9. I have no clue what season we are currently watching on Animal Planet.
TV Guide For Monkey BusinessThe above is the link for the TVSA guide where you can find the times of Monkey Business.