Captive Animals

Primate Sanctuary Standards and Welfare

Sanctuaries housing rescued primates from research, entertainment, and the pet trade must meet high welfare standards to meaningfully improve on their previous conditions.

Key Facts

Thousands of primates including chimpanzees, macaques, and capuchins need sanctuary placement globally
True sanctuaries do not breed, sell, or use primates for entertainment or research
Social housing with compatible group members is essential for primate psychological health
Primates in sanctuaries can live 30-60 years requiring long-term institutional commitment
Accreditation through the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries helps identify quality facilities

Welfare Considerations

The quality of primate sanctuaries varies enormously. Facilities calling themselves sanctuaries while breeding, selling, or using primates for visitor contact do not meet welfare standards. Genuine sanctuaries provide large outdoor spaces, complex social groups, species-appropriate enrichment, and veterinary care for the lifetime of each animal. Donor support should go to accredited facilities.

What You Can Do

Donate only to accredited primate sanctuaries verified through independent standards bodies
Oppose roadside zoos and pseudo-sanctuaries offering primate contact experiences
Advocate for increased government funding for primate sanctuary capacity
Support retired research chimp placement in quality sanctuaries
Learn to distinguish genuine sanctuaries from facilities exploiting the term