Chimpanzees share approximately 98% of their DNA with humans and require highly sophisticated social environments, cognitive enrichment, and extensive space to thrive in captivity.
Chimpanzee welfare demands take the highest investment of any non-human primate in captivity. Their intelligence means that cognitive deprivation is a serious welfare concern — chimpanzees without sufficient mental engagement develop depression, aggression, and severe stereotypies. Stable social groups with appropriate age and sex structure are foundational. Modern chimpanzee exhibits at leading institutions provide multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, foraging opportunities requiring problem-solving, and sufficient social complexity to allow natural alliance formation and conflict resolution. The retirement of former research chimpanzees to accredited sanctuaries has substantially improved welfare outcomes for this population.