Chimpanzee Welfare in Sanctuaries and Research

Chimpanzees retired from biomedical research and entertainment require specialist lifetime sanctuary care to recover from the psychological damage of their previous conditions.

Key Facts

Around 1,300 chimpanzees were used in US biomedical research before the NIH phased out the practice in 2015
Chimpanzees can develop PTSD-like conditions from research housing and procedures
They live 50-60 years and require lifetime care after research retirement
Retired research chimps are now housed at several large sanctuaries including Chimp Haven in Louisiana
Chimpanzees need complex social structures with choice of social partners — isolation causes severe psychological harm

Welfare Considerations

Research chimpanzees housed in individual cages and subjected to repeated anaesthetic procedures, blood draws and disease challenge develop lasting behavioural abnormalities including self-mutilation, rocking and fear responses. Sanctuary recovery can take years and requires skilled human carers who understand individual histories. The social complexity of chimpanzee society means sanctuary group composition requires careful management to allow positive social bonds while avoiding dangerous conflict.

What You Can Do

Donate to accredited chimpanzee sanctuaries providing lifetime care for retired research and entertainment animals
Support campaigns for prohibition of chimpanzee use in research and entertainment globally
Advocate for research funding to transition remaining chimpanzee uses to non-animal methods
Engage with sanctuary programmes that provide public education about chimpanzee welfare and cognition