Allein unter Jungs

FROM GRANADA MONKEY BUSINESS on Sunday 21st September 2003 on ITV1. Abandoned babies, former drug addicts, foster families, rowdy bachelor boys and life-or-death drama - all the essential ingredients for a gripping soap opera. But the story lines in this series are not scripted and the characters are not actors. In fact they aren't even human. ITV's new documentary series features a cast of primates with dramatic tales behind them. MONKEY BUSINESS follows the work of Jim and Alison Cronin, a couple who dedicate their lives to rescuing apes in distress from around the world. At their 60-acre sanctuary in Dorset called Monkey World, the Cronins care for an ever-expanding 'family' and battle to protect endangered species. ''Monkey World is the largest ape rescue centre in the western world,'' says New Yorker Jim. ''There is nothing else that even attempts to do what we do. We will always try to help rescue any ape anywhere in the world regardless of how difficult or dangerous it might be.