Primate Sanctuary Standards: Care for Rescued Apes and Monkeys

Sanctuaries provide lifelong care for primates rescued from the pet trade, laboratories, and entertainment — demanding the highest welfare standards.

Key Facts

Thousands of chimpanzees, macaques, and other primates live in sanctuaries globally
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) provides accreditation standards for primate care
Chimpanzees can live 50+ years, requiring lifetime commitment from sanctuaries
Social housing is essential — solitary primates suffer severe psychological harm
Many sanctuary residents have trauma histories requiring specialist behavioral rehabilitation
A sanctuary chimpanzee costs approximately $16,000-$20,000 per year to care for properly

Welfare Considerations

Primates in sanctuaries often arrive with complex trauma from years of inappropriate housing, isolation, or abuse. Welfare-centered sanctuary care requires large naturalistic enclosures, stable social groups, species-appropriate enrichment, and skilled staff trained in primate behavior. The psychological needs of great apes are particularly demanding — they require cognitive stimulation, social bonds, and agency over their environment. Accreditation by bodies like GFAS helps ensure facilities meet minimum standards. Critically, sanctuaries must be no-breeding, no-contact, and no-commercial-exploitation facilities.

What You Can Do

Support GFAS-accredited primate sanctuaries financially or through volunteer skills
Oppose the pet primate trade by supporting relevant legislation
Never visit facilities that offer paid interactions with primates
Donate to rehabilitation programs that address trauma and build social skills
Advocate for retirement of laboratory primates to accredited sanctuaries
Educate others about why primates are not suitable pets