The world- renowned primate expert died in Cabrini Medical Center, Manhattan in his native New York at the weekend, his wife and fellow conservationist Alison by his side. He was 55.
Staff at the primate sanctuary near Wool were recently told that Jim had been diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year while travelling with his wife, but despite intensive chemotherapy treatment started a month ago, he succumbed to the disease on Saturday.
Stunned colleagues and staff at Monkey World were told of his death yesterday afternoon.
Monkey World, near Wool in Dorset, was set up in 1987 to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent home.
The centre, which is home to 150 apes of 15 different species, is now at the forefront of a worldwide campaign to stop the illegal smuggling of apes.
Jim and his wife Alison also worked with governments to rehome abused animals and campaigned to stop the illegal hunting, smuggling and sale of endangered species.
It is expected that Dr Cronin - who ran the popular 67-acre rescue centre and tourist attraction with her husband since they married in the mid-90s - will return to Monkey World later this week with Jim's ashes, which are expected to be buried on the sanctuary he created and loved.
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