Sanctuaries for great apes provide an alternative to zoo exhibition for animals that cannot be returned to the wild, with welfare standards that prioritise their specific complex needs.
Great apes in sanctuaries often arrive with histories of severe deprivation, trauma, and inappropriate human socialisation. Welfare management requires addressing both physical needs and profound psychological impacts of previous conditions. The sanctuary model represents a commitment to animal welfare over visitor experience, and its principles offer valuable lessons for accredited zoo management.