Many of you will know by now of the sad death of the well loved Chimpanzee character Charlie from Monkey World in Dorset. Charlie died in his sleep on Sunday the 8th February due to yet unkown circumstances. He was without doubt the most popular ape at Monkey World and beame quite a star through the television series, Monkey Business and Monkey Life. Know for his unique take on the world as a chimp he was independant and eccentric to say the least. He originally arrived at the park in after the late Jim Cronin rescued him from beach photographers in Spain. Charlie had been appaulingly abused by his Spanish owners with injuries across his face and body, he was also addicted to drugs.
My first encounter with Charlie was soon after I joined the park in 1998 , I had seen him on tv and knew his character from this well. As seen on tv he would often be seen displaying to the tanks from the nearby military base as they passed on the nearby road.
I first drew Charlie in 2005 and it was a refrshing experience. I remember well, sitting with him behind the scenes as I drew sketches and took photos of him, what puzzled me most was how content he was to sit and model for me as intriqued by my actions as I was of him. Often whilst sketching he would pass me presents of sticks and leaves through the wire which I in return would pass back to him.
The picture I drew of Charlie was well recieved, this stays in my mind as a particular fond memory as Jim Cronin was delighted with this new picture of his boy Charlie which he later hung on his study wall at home. Jim was fond of Charlie to say the least despite the fact he was always a believer that favorites should not exist. It is strange that Charlie was chosen to be immortilezed with Jim in the recent bronze I assisted to commisson to remeber Jim. The two of them can now be seen facing each other in bronze in a special area of wild oaks overlooking the purbecks at Monkey World.
I am incredibly pleased I drew the recent picture of Charlie when I did as if I had left it any longer I might not have got the chance again. My only only hope is that I did him the justice he deserves and that the pictures will be of some comfort to those who want to remember him for years to come.