Primate Sanctuary Standards and Advanced Care

High-quality primate sanctuaries provide lifetime care for animals rescued from the pet trade, research, and entertainment industries.

Key Facts

Thousands of chimpanzees, macaques, and other primates require sanctuary placement after being retired from biomedical research or rescued from illegal trade
Accredited sanctuaries provide naturalistic social groupings, complex outdoor spaces, and species-appropriate diets
Chimpanzees can live over 50 years, making lifetime care commitment a major logistical and financial challenge for sanctuaries
Social reintegration of previously isolated research chimpanzees is a lengthy process requiring skilled animal care professionals
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) provides accreditation standards for primate facilities
Many former research chimpanzees display post-traumatic stress symptoms requiring behavioral rehabilitation programs

Welfare Considerations

Primate sanctuaries represent the gold standard of post-use care for animals that can never be returned to the wild. The complex psychological and social needs of primates, combined with their long lifespans, make high-quality sanctuary care both ethically essential and expensive. Supporting accredited primate sanctuaries is one of the most direct welfare interventions available to individuals concerned about primate wellbeing.

What You Can Do

Donate to GFAS-accredited primate sanctuaries such as Chimp Haven, Save the Chimps, or Project Chimps
Oppose the captive primate pet trade by supporting relevant legislation
Avoid entertainment venues such as roadside zoos where primates are kept in poor conditions
Support legislation accelerating the retirement of research chimpanzees to sanctuary settings