Individualized Care Plans for Sanctuary Chimpanzees

For this quarter of Hot Topics in Primate Welfare, we are featuring the research of Dr. Andrew Halloran, the Director of Chimpanzee Behavior and Care at Save the Chimps in Florida. Dr. Halloran specializes in chimpanzee welfare and works to create personalized care plans to enhance the care and welfare of the more than 200 chimpanzees housed at the sanctuary. In the work we are featuring here, which was also presented at the 44^th annual meeting of the American Society of Primatologists in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Halloran utilizes behavioral baselines to create, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans. Because Save the Chimps is home to 227 chimpanzees of diverse backgrounds, it is critical that individualized care plans address the specific needs of each chimpanzee based on an individual’s unique history. As such, behavioral baselines serve as the foundation of care plans that address behavioral issues. To learn more about this project, watch a video presentation about this program narrated by Dr. Halloran.

For additional information, please visit the Save the Chimps website.

Andrew Halloran, wearing a white shirt, mask, and face shield, stands outside a chimpanzee enclosure at Save the Chimps. He is facing a barrier where a chimpanzee is sitting during a training session. The chimpanzee is sticking their fingers through the barrier for Andrew. — Andrew Halloran at Save the Chimps using positive reinforcement with a chimpanzee.

Andrew Halloran sits underneath a tent at Save the Chimps. He is seated behind a table that is draped with cloth and a poster with information on leadership at Save the Chimps. He is wearing a white shirt, a vest, and a hat, and is smiling at the camera. — Andrew Halloran at Save the Chimps using positive reinforcement with a chimpanzee.