Monkey World's founder Jim dies. Dorset Echo On-line. JIM Cronin, the founder of Monkey World ape rescue centre, has lost his battle against liver cancer. The world-renowned primate expert died in hospital in his native New York at the weekend, his wife and fellow conservationist Alison by his side.He was 55.orset Echo On-line. JIM Cronin, the founder of Monkey World ape rescue centre, has lost his battle against liver cancer. The world-renowned primate expert died in hospital in his native New York at the weekend, his wife and fellow conservationist Alison by his side. He was 55.