Thousands of chimpanzees previously used in biomedical research now live in sanctuaries, with complex welfare needs shaped by the trauma of their research lives.
Post-research chimpanzee welfare represents a long-term ethical obligation created by decades of biomedical use. These animals entered laboratories when such use was legally sanctioned, experienced repeated procedures, social disruption, and often profound isolation, and now require lifetime care that must address the psychological consequences of their research histories. Sanctuary rehabilitation for traumatised research chimpanzees is a specialised field: reintroducing socially deprived animals to group living requires careful, patient work over months or years. The costs are substantial and ongoing. Biomedical institutions that profited from chimpanzee research carry a moral obligation to fund the lifetime care of the animals they used.