Chimpanzees are highly intelligent great apes with complex social needs - their welfare in captivity requires very large social groups, extensive space and cognitive enrichment matched to their capabilities.
Chimpanzee welfare in captivity requires recognition of their profound cognitive and social complexity. Animals with theory of mind, cultural learning and complex coalition politics experience isolation and social deprivation as acute welfare harms. The psychological damage from inappropriate housing - solitary confinement, inadequate group sizes, barren environments - manifests in self-mutilation, stereotypic behaviour and psychiatric symptoms. Sanctuary environments providing large spaces, complex social groups and species-appropriate enrichment offer dramatically better welfare than most zoo settings. The welfare case for retiring research and zoo chimpanzees to sanctuaries when adequate facilities are available is compelling.