Chimpanzees in sanctuaries and zoos have highly complex social, cognitive, and psychological needs. Meeting these needs in captivity is a demanding but achievable goal.
Chimpanzee welfare in captivity is shaped overwhelmingly by early experience and ongoing social environment. Animals raised in isolation or small groups — as was common in biomedical research settings — show lasting psychological damage: stereotypic behaviours, aggression, and inability to form normal social bonds. Good sanctuary welfare requires large, naturalistic spaces with trees and climbing structures, stable social groups carefully managed by experienced staff, cognitive enrichment at appropriate complexity, and positive reinforcement training for veterinary procedures. The Chimp Haven model in the US, alongside African sanctuaries like JACK and Lwiro, demonstrates that genuinely good welfare is achievable even for severely traumatised individuals with long-term committed care.