Thousands of chimpanzees are held in inadequate captive conditions globally as former pets, entertainment animals, and research subjects, with sanctuaries providing species-appropriate care for animals that cannot be released to the wild.
Captive chimpanzee welfare is severely compromised in non-sanctuary settings. Pet chimpanzees raised in human homes suffer profound social deprivation from separation from species-appropriate companions and forcing of human behavioral norms on an animal with complex social needs. Entertainment chimpanzees face aversive training and behavioral suppression. Research chimpanzees in biomedical settings experience confinement and procedures. Sanctuary care that provides large social groups, complex environments, and freedom from performance demands offers dramatically better welfare. The impossibility of wild release for socialized chimpanzees makes lifetime high-quality sanctuary care the welfare obligation.