Injury risks among chimpanzees in three housing conditions (2000)

Baker, K. C., Seres, M., Aureli, F. et al.

Abstract

Over a two-year period all visible injuries to 46 adult males, 64 adult females, and 25 immature chimpanzees were recorded. ... Housing included compounds containing about 20 chimpanzees, interconnected indoor-outdoor runs for groups of up to 12 individuals, and smaller indoor-outdoor runs for pairs and trios. ... Compound-housed chimpanzees incurred the highest level of minor wounding, but serious wounding levels were not affected by housing condition. ... Overall, this study indicates that maintaining chimpanzees in pairs and trios would not be an effective means for reducing injuries. The management of wounding in chimpanzee colonies is influenced more by the sex and rearing composition of a colony.