Primates rescued from research, entertainment, and the exotic pet trade require specialised, long-term care. Understanding what genuine sanctuary welfare looks like helps supporters make informed choices about where to donate.
Primates in sanctuaries carry histories of significant welfare harm — isolation, inadequate social contact, barren environments, and trauma from removal from their mothers. Recovery requires patient, expert care and appropriate social groupings. High-quality sanctuaries invest in social introduction programmes, environmental enrichment, and trauma-informed care. Pseudo-sanctuaries that continue to exploit primates for visitor interaction perpetuate harm. Genuine sanctuaries measure success by animal wellbeing, not visitor numbers.