Laboratory Primate Retirement and Sanctuary Placement

Chimpanzees, macaques, and other primates retired from research face a transition to sanctuary that requires careful welfare planning.

Key Facts

The US National Institutes of Health ended chimpanzee research in 2015 and committed to sanctuary placement
Approximately 700 NIH chimpanzees required sanctuary placement after the research ban
Retired research primates often show psychological trauma including social difficulty and environmental hypersensitivity
Transition from research housing to sanctuary requires gradual socialization and behavioral rehabilitation
Many research primates have never experienced outdoor access or conspecific social interaction before retirement

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of retired research primates is not automatically resolved by sanctuary placement. Animals that have spent years in research housing require careful transition management to develop social skills and tolerate novel environments. Sanctuary welfare quality varies, and underfunding creates ongoing risks for placed animals.

What You Can Do

Support accredited primate sanctuaries that accept retired research animals with rehabilitation programs
Advocate for mandatory retirement planning requirements before research primates are enrolled in long-term studies
Donate to Project Chimps, Chimp Haven, or similar organizations providing sanctuary for retired research primates