Chimpanzee Orphan Rescue and Sanctuary Care

The welfare needs of orphaned chimpanzees rescued from the bushmeat trade, and the standards required for ethical sanctuary management.

Key Facts

Chimpanzee orphans are produced when adults are killed for bushmeat — orphans are often taken as pets
Young chimpanzees require intensive social and developmental support similar to human infants
Deprivation of appropriate social contact causes severe psychological trauma in orphaned chimpanzees
Reputable sanctuaries house dozens to hundreds of chimpanzees in complex social groups
Release to the wild is rarely feasible — sanctuaries typically provide lifetime care for their residents

Welfare Considerations

Orphaned chimpanzees arrive at sanctuaries traumatised, often having witnessed the killing of their mothers and experienced weeks or months in inappropriate captivity. Recovery requires long-term, intensive care by dedicated carers who provide both the social and psychological support needed for healthy development. High-quality sanctuary care enables formerly traumatised chimpanzees to form bonds, express natural behaviours, and achieve meaningful quality of life. The ongoing bushmeat trade continues to generate a stream of orphans that sanctuaries must absorb while advocating for its elimination.

What You Can Do

Donate to accredited chimpanzee sanctuaries such as Tchimpounga, Ngamba Island, or Sweetwaters
Support legislation banning trade in live great apes and bushmeat in range countries
Avoid purchasing products from companies linked to deforestation that drives bushmeat hunting
Learn about the bushmeat crisis and share information to raise public awareness
Engage with conservation organisations working on community-based alternatives to bushmeat hunting