500 | Sanctuaries, Ethics of Keeping Chimpanzees in to all manner of abnormal conditions It is important that sanctuaries open their doors to scientific observation of a strictly noninvasive, non-disruptive nature Surely there are lessons we can learn from the rehabilitation of our closest relatives that will benefit the thousands of humans who, like the chimpanzees, carry deep psychological scarring from past traumatic experiences Further Reading Editor’s Note: For general information about animal sanctuaries see: http://www.pasaprimates.org The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, or PASA, is an alliance of sixteen primate sanctuaries from all over Africa The Web site lists the sanctuaries and provides information on most of them It also provides an extensive list of resources about animals, endangered species and conservation, sanctuaries, animal behavior, and related topics http://www.taosanctuaries.org/sanctuaries/spe cies.htm The Association of Sanctuaries, TAOS, was founded in 1992 as a not-for-profit organization to assist sanctuaries in providing rescue and care for displaced animals It accredits superior sanctuaries for wild, farmed, and companion animals Provides a worldwide list of accredited sanctuaries http://www.cwu.edu/˜cwuchci/index.html The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, provides sanctuary to a group of adult chimpanzees who communicate with humans and each other using American Sign Language (ASL) Jane Goodall SANCTUARIES, ETHICS OF KEEPING CHIMPANZEES IN The mandate of sanctuaries is to provide for both the physical and psychological requirements of chimpanzees, a new life in which to heal and recover from previous abuses, and a life rich providing for their complex needs, striving to replace and fulfill a chimpanzee’s natural requirements Sanctuaries consist of a team of committed humans who tend to the chimpanzees; a board of directors, donors, management, care staff, veterinarians, and volunteers, all of whom support a new life for the chimpanzees Chimpanzees not live in sanctuaries by choice Their native environment and natural daily lives are often in sharp contrast to what sanctuaries can provide In even greater contrast is the emotional and mental status of chimpanzees in sanctuaries In addition, previous psychological damage from being subjects of research, animal actors, roadside zoo attractions, or household pets exacerbates these chimps’ emotional maladies An ever-challenging mission of sanctuaries is to mitigate the damage done to chimpanzees in captivity, while going far beyond to provide an environment in which they can heal and thrive emotionally Sanctuaries must also provide a physically stimulating and enriching environment to give their charges a healthy life Captive chimpanzees are completely dependent on our intelligence and compassion Chimpanzees are extraordinary and complex, emotional, and sensitive They are fully aware of themselves as captives Key to restoring chimpanzees’ sense of self and confidence is freedom of choice Environmental designs and enrichment programs within sanctuaries must provide that freedom of choice through creative and constructive methods to help heal and nurture chimpanzees Although seemingly simplistic, the value of freedom of choice cannot be overemphasized