502 | Sanctuaries, Ethics of Keeping Chimpanzees in daily life However, even the most benign objects have the potential to be a hazard Caretakers are well informed on safe and proper use of enrichment by the chimps, and whether or not an individual’s toys must be limited for their own safety If new residents in a sanctuary are not familiar with enrichment, there are safe protocols established to introduce enrichment and allow for timely introduction of new items Chimpanzees cannot live in a bubble, because environmental enrichment may involve accidents Caretakers’ experience and intelligence play an important role in maintaining a margin of safety, just as experience and intelligence play a role in our safety every time we drive a car or allow our children to play at the beach Nutrition and food opportunities play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of chimpanzees Wild chimpanzees forage for food six to eight hours every day Their natural diet is varied and mostly vegetarian, measuring approximately 60 percent fruit, 30 percent other vegetation, and 10 percent animal matter (Nowak, 1999, p 183) Food may take on greater importance in a captive chimp’s life, in part due to boredom Nonetheless, captive chimps are exceedingly motivated and excited by food A sanctuary’s responsibility with regard to feeding chimps is important both nutritionally and psychologically There must be a balance between feeding opportunities and nutrition It is not unusual for former pets or circus performers to arrive at a sanctuary with poor eating habits and medical sequela, such as diabetes Some chimps from research studies may arrive with a preference for pre-packaged chow biscuit and reject fresh produce Optimal physical and emotional health can be attained by providing a varied and well-rounded diet daily Regardless of convenience and cost, to deny chimpanzees a variety of produce, natural foods, and freedom of choice is unacceptable Sanctuaries are responsible for forming social groups of chimpanzees This responsibility is not for the inexperienced or unintuitive The desired result is a cohesive and dynamic social group while minimizing the risk of injury or possible death to an individual unprotected and unable to defend himself Although there are no guarantees of harmony, careful planning and consideration, enclosure design and introduction techniques must be properly administered It is the sanctuary’s responsibility to oversee all aspects upon which the final outcome relies The greatest responsibility of a sanctuary is to those individuals in their immediate care for whom the sanctuary has accepted lifetime guardianship Sanctuaries are often faced with the difficult choice of denying a home to yet another chimp in need These facilities make an effort to help place the chimp in another sanctuary or at least offer advice to benefit the chimp, but sound sanctuaries know their capacity Decline in the overall success of a sanctuary can occur when accepting another chimp compromises the care of those to whom the sanctuary is already committed However, reasonable circumstances may allow for stretching resources on an emergency or temporary basis But a chronically overpopulated sanctuary ceases to be a refuge and becomes a place that chimps may need to be rescued from Philosophically, how humans can and should interact with chimpanzees greatly determines the safety and contentedness of both humans and nonhuman primates True sanctuaries treat their charges with respect and dignity For the sentient and