Chimpanzee Research Phaseout and Sanctuary Transition

The transition from chimpanzee biomedical research to retirement in accredited sanctuaries represents a landmark welfare achievement but requires sustained long-term funding.

Key Facts

The US was the last major country to use chimpanzees in biomedical research before phasing out in 2015
NIH holds approximately 340 chimpanzees committed to sanctuary retirement
Chimp Haven in Louisiana is the primary federally funded sanctuary housing over 300 research retirees
Annual care costs of 25,000 to 30,000 per chimpanzee for decades requires sustained funding commitment

Welfare Considerations

The retirement of NIH chimpanzees from research represents a significant welfare achievement but the transition process is slow and the funding commitment is perpetual. Chimpanzees that spent decades in research conditions require years of careful rehabilitation before joining social groups. Some animals have permanent behavioral abnormalities that make full rehabilitation impossible. The long-term welfare cost of their research use continues in sanctuary long after formal research ends.

What You Can Do

Support Chimp Haven and other accredited chimpanzee sanctuaries financially
Advocate for sustained federal funding for NIH chimpanzee retirement commitments
Support research into replacement methods that eliminated the need for chimpanzee use
Learn about individual retired research chimps and share their stories to build advocacy support