Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives. Wild populations face habitat loss and bushmeat hunting. Many chimpanzees rescued from the pet and entertainment trade live in sanctuaries.
Chimpanzees used as pets or in entertainment suffer throughout their lives. Young chimps removed from their mothers experience acute trauma and grief. Life in human households prevents normal social development. When chimps become strong and unmanageable at adolescence, they are often confined to barren cages. Sanctuaries face challenges reintegrating chimps that have not developed normal social skills. Wild chimpanzee welfare is threatened by disease, snaring, and habitat fragmentation that isolates communities.