Research on chimpanzee sanctuary rehabilitation has revealed the timescales, social conditions, and management practices that allow trauma recovery in formerly captive or abused great apes.
Chimpanzee rehabilitation science has practical welfare implications that extend beyond individual sanctuaries. Research showing that play behaviour recovery predicts long-term welfare outcomes provides a measurable goal for rehabilitation programmes. Social grouping management - carefully introduced compatible individuals - is shown to drive recovery faster than any other intervention. Food enrichment, outdoor access, and complexity of environment support but do not replace social needs. The evidence base from sanctuary research informs standards for all great ape captive settings and strengthens the welfare case against isolating housing in research facilities.