Sanctuaries caring for former research chimpanzees and other primates represent one of the most resource-intensive welfare commitments in the animal protection sector.
Research chimpanzee retirement represents a moral debt: animals used in research for decades deserve lifetime care that attempts to repair the harm of their research lives. Former research chimps typically require years of socialization to form normal group bonds after isolation housing. Behavioral recovery is possible but slow — some individuals never fully recover from the trauma of invasive procedures. Federal funding for Chimp Haven demonstrates that society can accept responsibility for animals used in its service.