Chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans in captivity require complex social and environmental conditions to meet their profound psychological and physical needs.
Great ape welfare in captivity requires exceptional standards given the depth of their psychological complexity. Adequate social groups, complex environments with choice and challenge, positive reinforcement management, and access to natural behaviours are minimum requirements rather than luxury provisions. The global great ape sanctuary network provides vital care for individuals who cannot be returned to the wild.