The suffering of chimpanzees in laboratories begins with confinement. In the wild, chimpanzees roam 1-6 miles on any given day. They choose what they eat. They act of their own free will.

Confined for research, chimpanzees typically live in small groups or pairs in cramped concrete pens or indoor/outdoor runs, or alone in a 5′ x 5′ x 7′ cage allowable by federal law. (Currently only a few facilities have indoor/outdoor enclosures for bigger groups for a limited number of their residents.)

In cages allowed by law, a large male chimpanzee can barely stretch out vertically, much less brachiate (swing from one hold to another) – a natural behavior. Some chimpanzees have lived their entire lives in these cages with no outdoor access or windows. Others are housed in these small cages while in a protocol since it gives easier “access” to them. This confinement can go on for decades.

These cages can also be used to house chimpanzees when they are ill to make medical treatment easier. However, this practice is extremely stressful for those who are accustomed to living with others.

Animal Welfare guidelines allow for single housing as long as a chimpanzee can see and hear other chimpanzees or a compatible species. This guideline can be exempted by the supervising veterinarian.

In laboratory cages, chimpanzees sleep on metal bars, concrete floors, or hard shelf surfaces deprived of adequate bedding materials for nest building – a nightly ritual for free-living chimpanzees.