The following statement was reviewed by the Research and Development Committee of the
American Society of Primatologists and the Society's Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors officially approved this policy statement in its present
form on August 12, 1996.
Policy Statement on
the Long-term Care of Chimpanzees
and
Their Involvement in Scientific Research
WHEREAS chimpanzees are present in the U.S. in research centers, zoological
gardens, and other settings outside their natural habitat; and
WHEREAS large-scale reintroduction of captive-born chimpanzees to natural
habitat is not presently feasible nor likely to become feasible in the near
future; and
WHEREAS chimpanzees are members of the species most closely related and
biologically similar to humans; and
WHEREAS chimpanzees require high quality medical care, secure and complex
physical facilities, and social and psychological stimulation; and
WHEREAS much valuable information regarding health and behavior can be
learned from chimpanzees of all ages; and
WHEREAS convenience euthanasia is generally considered inappropriate for
great apes and maintenance of chimpanzees under appropriate conditions is
costly;
The American Society of Primatologists recommends:
THAT efforts should be made to provide secure and appropriate environments
for captive chimpanzees in zoological exhibits, research facilities,
retirement facilities, and sanctuaries;
- THAT humanely conducted scientific studies of chimpanzees throughout the
lifespan should be encouraged and federally supported, especially
research on developmental and aging processes and other topics that may contribute not
only to the understanding of human health, but also hold promise for
improving the health and quality of life of chimpanzees;
- THAT tissues from chimpanzees should be preserved following death for
additional study, including brain tissues in a comparative neurobiology
research resource bank similar to those maintained for the study of human
neuropathology;
- THAT regulations be advanced to permit chimpanzees to reside exclusively in
accredited zoological parks, accredited research facilities, or other
situations that are USDA licensed and subject to regulation under the Animal
Welfare Act;
- THAT additional wild-caught chimpanzees not be imported (in accordance with
current policies) and that a national chimpanzee registry be created to
assure that the individual identity and location of all chimpanzees is known
as a means of improving enforcement of laws and regulations intended to
eliminate illegal trade or holding of chimpanzees and other primates.
