Chimpanzee

Developing and validating a holistic welfare assessment tool for zoo-housed great apes: Integrating resource-based measures with behavioural ecology insights

Assessing the welfare of zoo-housed great apes is essential to ensure high standards of care, maintain zoos’ ethical and educational credibility, and support their conservation roles. However, welfare assessment remains challenging due to the complex cognitive, social, and behavioural needs...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Neufuss, J., Pullen, K., Farmer, H. L. et al. 2026. Developing and validating a holistic welfare assessment tool for zoo-housed great apes: Integrating resource-based measures with behavioural ecology insights. PLOS ONE 21(1), e0340094.

Effects of hand-rearing and group size on chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) social competence in captivity

The behavior of individual animals reflects both internal states and external context. For captive animals, their early life experiences can influence later adjustment, particularly their social competence. In addition, the way in which they are housed and their current social...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Murray, L. E. 2026. Effects of hand-rearing and group size on chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) social competence in captivity. Animals 16(2).

The enriched mind: Cognitive stimulation and behavior in non-human primates

Non-human primates (NHPs) possess high cognitive abilities that enable them to respond effectively to complex social, ecological, and psychological challenges. These abilities need to be stimulated in non-human primates under human care in zoos, conservation centers/sanctuaries, or research facilities, where...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Gibbon, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Coria-Avila, G. A. et al. 2025. The enriched mind: Cognitive stimulation and behavior in non-human primates. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Supportive nutrition for elderly chimpanzees: A case study on non-invasive supplementation in a group setting

Ageing chimpanzees Pan troglodytes in zoological settings often experience physiological decline, including loss of body condition and muscle mass, which can negatively impact welfare and longevity. Over a three-year period, three elderly chimpanzees at Antwerp Zoo exhibited rapid and unexplained...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Depauw, S., Riemsdijk, R. V. 2025. Supportive nutrition for elderly chimpanzees: A case study on non-invasive supplementation in a group setting. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(4), 241–244.

A review of research in primate sanctuaries

While non-human primate studies have long been conducted in laboratories, and more recently at zoological parks, sanctuaries are increasingly considered a viable setting for research. Accredited sanctuaries in non-range countries house thousands of primates formerly used as subjects of medical...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Ross, S. R., Leinwand, J. G. 2020. A review of research in primate sanctuaries. Biology Letters 16(4), 1620200033.

Validation and utility of a body condition scoring system for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Obesity is a problem in captive chimpanzee colonies that can lead to increased risk for disease; therefore, implementation of effective weight management strategies is imperative. To properly implement a weight management program, captive managers should be able to noninvasively identify...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Reamer, L. A., Neal Webb, S. J., Jones, R. et al. 2020. Validation and utility of a body condition scoring system for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology 82(10), e23188.

WISH cages: Constructing multiple habitats for captive chimpanzees

This article aims to introduce environmental enrichment for captive chimpanzees in Japan in a historical context. It describes the most recent endeavor of constructing huge cages and connecting multiple habitats. The Ai Project, a series of studies into the mind...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Matsuzawa, T. 2020. WISH cages: Constructing multiple habitats for captive chimpanzees. Primates 61(2), 139–148.

Comparisons of activity budgets, interactions, and social structures in captive and wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Chimpanzees in zoos with sufficient and appropriate environmental enrichment devices are expected to exhibit behaviors, interactions, and societies similar to those in the wild. In this study, we compared the activity budgets of each observed behavior, characteristics of social grooming,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Inoue, N., Shimada, M. 2020. Comparisons of activity budgets, interactions, and social structures in captive and wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Animals 10(6), 1063.

Development of bed-building behaviors in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Implication for critical period hypothesis and captive management

Wild great apes build beds for sleeping by combining tree branches or other vegetation, but the development of this behavior is poorly understood. We investigated the development of bed-building behaviors by conducting complementary cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of captive chimpanzees....

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Yamanashi, Y., Bando, H., Matsunaga, M. et al. 2020. Development of bed-building behaviors in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Implication for critical period hypothesis and captive management. Primates 61(5), 639-646.

Early life experience and alterations of group composition shape the social grooming networks of former pet and entertainment chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

The long-term effects of early life adversities on social capacities have been documented in humans and wild-caught former laboratory chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). However, former pet and entertainment chimpanzees have received little attention to date. This study aimed to investigate the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Crailsheim, D., Stüger, H., P., Kalcher-Sommersguter, E. et al. 2020. Early life experience and alterations of group composition shape the social grooming networks of former pet and entertainment chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). PLOS ONE 15(1), e0226947.