Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre

There is more to learning outside the classroom than just monkey-ing around! Monkey World- Ape Rescue Centre was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide a permanent, stable home for abused Spanish chimps. Today, his wife, Dr Alison Cronin, continues to work with foreign governments worldwide to stop the illegal smuggling of primates from around the world. Whether you’re learning about Monkey World’s rescue work, impacts of deforestation or primates’ unique adaptations to life in the trees, our experienced education team can enhance a trip to Monkey World or support learning in the classroom. The park is home to over 260 primates of 24 different species including the largest group of chimps outside Africa, and Europe’s only orang-utan nursery. Many of the apes and monkeys have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, they can all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment, and some are now part of international breeding programmes for endangered species. Support is offered to teachers through pre-visit plans, teacher packs, and additional resources post visit. We can even bring Monkey World to you, with our outreach team. At Monkey World, students will see conservation in action, as animals stolen from the wild into the black market trade are rehomed at the centre. Some still show psychological and physical scars of their past lives, but at the park they are rehabilitated into family groups to live as naturally as possible. Topics such as rainforests, evolution, adaptation, and nutrition are brought to life, and linked into the curriculum through our education team’s workshops and talks. Due to Monkey World’s unique position as a rescue centre, pupils will not only learn about biology geography and science, but will also walk away with a better understanding of our primate cousins and their lives, as well as empathy and compassion for their welfare. Based in Wareham, Dorset, Monkey World has ample free parking for cars and coaches. Discounts are available for school groups, and guided tours and meeting room hire are also available. Monkey World also offers familiarisation visits for teachers, while the dedicated education team are here to help you get the most out of your school trip, so get in touch today!