Chimpanzees are humanity's closest living relatives and their welfare in captivity requires meeting highly complex social and cognitive needs.
Chimpanzee welfare demands are among the highest of any zoo species, reflecting their cognitive complexity and social sophistication. The history of inadequate chimpanzee care — isolated pairs or trios in barren enclosures — has created populations with chronic psychological damage expressed in stereotypies, self-harm, and social dysfunction. Leading zoos now maintain larger groups in complex, naturalistic habitats with extensive behavioral programming. The ongoing welfare challenge involves managing aggression in captive groups without the dispersal options available to wild chimpanzees. Sanctuary settings increasingly accommodate retired research chimpanzees, providing better welfare than laboratory housing while managing rehabilitation from early deprivation.