Chimpanzees retired from research and entertainment require lifetime care in species-appropriate sanctuary conditions; the challenge of providing welfare-appropriate retirement is significant.
Research chimpanzees that have spent years in individual or small group laboratory housing face major socialization challenges on retirement. Their social skills may be severely impaired from early deprivation, and introduction to larger sanctuary groups requires careful, gradual management to prevent serious aggression. Welfare-appropriate retirement provides access to outdoor spaces, social groups of appropriate composition, cognitive enrichment, and naturalistic housing. The cost and complexity of providing these conditions for the full natural lifespan of chimpanzees is substantial and represents a genuine responsibility of institutions that have used these animals in research.