Chimpanzee and gorilla sanctuaries provide an alternative model to conventional zoos for great apes rescued from trade, entertainment and research, with distinct welfare approaches.
Sanctuary welfare models differ from zoo models in their explicit prioritisation of the individual animal's psychological recovery and lifetime quality of life over species representation or conservation education goals. For animals with significant trauma histories, the sanctuary model may provide better welfare outcomes through smaller groups, more intensive keeper relationships and more naturalistic environments. The two models are complementary rather than competing.