Chimpanzee

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.

Investigating the function of mutual grooming in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus) and Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Social grooming is often exchanged between individuals in many primate species. Rates of bidirectional (or simultaneous mutual) grooming vary across primate species, and its function is not yet fully understood. For example, mutual grooming is frequent in chimpanzees but rare...

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

Citation: Allanic, M., Hayashi, M., Matsuzawa, T., 2020. Investigating the function of mutual grooming in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus) and Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Folia Primatologica 91, 481-494.

Monitoring great ape heart health through innovative electrocardiogram technology: Training methodologies and welfare implications

Assessing and treating cardiovascular disease (or heart disease) is a growing concern for institutions housing great apes, as it is a major cause of mortality in all four taxa managed in human care. As part of a proactive monitoring plan,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Cloutier Barbour, C., Danforth, M. D., Murphy, H. et al. 2020. Monitoring great ape heart health through innovative electrocardiogram technology: Training methodologies and welfare implications. Zoo Biology 39(6), 443-447.

Environmental enrichment and the rehabilitation of nonhuman primates

This paper outlines the change in behavior in chimpanzees, baboons and a hybrid baboon/rhesus macaque that underwent extensive rehabilitation efforts, including a move to group housing and a larger, more complex enclosure. Upon transfer to the new environment, the subjects...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Baboon, Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Brent, L. , Kessel, A. L. 1998. Environmental enrichment and the rehabilitation of nonhuman primates. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. Hare, V. J. , Worley, E. (eds), 238-244. The Shape of Enrichment, San Diego, CA.

An Enrichment Device for Great Apes

The influence of an environmental enrichment feeding device (puzzle feeder), on activity and behaviour patterns of captive orang-utans, gorillas and chimpanzees was studied at London Zoo. General activity levels and behaviours directed towards the feeder increased for all species when...

Year Published: 1992Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gilloux, I., Gurnell, J., Shepherdson, D. 1992. An Enrichment Device for Great Apes. Animal Welfare, 1(4), 279–289.

Review of depressive-like behaviours in some group-living mammals

Thanks to animal models of depression, we are getting closer to understand the nature of this disorder in humans – but depressive disorders may not be specific only to humans. Although due to the inability to collect a verbal report...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Equine, Gibbon, Lemur, Macaque, Marine Mammal, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Ilmer, I., Smoleń, T. 2025. Review of depressive-like behaviours in some group-living mammals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106753.

Using the Welfare Quality® framework to develop a welfare assessment protocol for captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Good welfare is of inherent value to all captive animals and promotes species conservation objectives. Concern for animal welfare is growing globally, and research shows that animal welfare is a top priority for zoo visitors. There is, therefore, an urgent...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gill, N. M., Bueno, M., Anderson, N. E. 2025. Using the Welfare Quality® framework to develop a welfare assessment protocol for captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Animal Welfare 34, e54.

Mental Health and Well-being in Animals

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, professional and public concern for the well-being of animals has continued to increase throughout the world. Advances in research and technologies have yielded an enormous amount of new knowledge about...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Bird, Capuchin, Cat, Chicken, Chimpanzee, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Fish, Gibbon, Goat, Lemur, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Parrot, Pig, Rabbit, Reptile, Salmon, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, F. D. (Ed.) 2025. Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (3rd ed.). CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK. 464 p.

Evaluating the co-occurrence of abnormal behaviors in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

For decades, welfare scientists have focused on investigating and mitigating the abnormal behaviors—including repetitive stereotypic behaviors and abnormal stances/postures—displayed by chimpanzees residing in professionally managed settings. In an effort to design feasible and practical welfare assessments, researchers often pool abnormal...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Whitham, J. C., Hall, K., Miller, L. J. 2025. Evaluating the co-occurrence of abnormal behaviors in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology 87(2), e70001.