Primate Sanctuary Standards and Lifetime Care

Primates retired from research, entertainment, and the pet trade need specialized lifetime care. Sanctuaries provide essential refuge, but standards vary widely and demand exceeds capacity.

Key Facts

Chimpanzees can live over 50 years — committing to one means decades of care
Primates retired from biomedical research often have chronic health conditions from procedures
Reintroduction of captive-born great apes to the wild is rarely feasible
Sanctuary accreditation through the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries sets key standards
The exotic pet trade creates ongoing demand for primate sanctuary placement

Welfare Considerations

Primates arriving at sanctuaries from research facilities, entertainment, or private ownership often require extensive rehabilitation. They may have physical health problems, behavioral disorders from isolation, and severe social deficits from lack of appropriate companions. High-quality sanctuaries provide compatible social groupings, species-appropriate enrichment, and veterinary care for life. This is expensive but essential for animals whose needs are too complex for release.

What You Can Do

Support accredited primate sanctuaries financially and through advocacy
Never keep primates as pets — they are not suitable companion animals
Oppose primate use in entertainment including TV, film, and social media
Advocate for funding to transition research chimpanzees to sanctuary care
Support legislation banning private ownership of primates