Chimpanzees Endure Head To Toe Exams After Decades Of Laboratory Experiments

Former research chimpanzees at the Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge have undergone comprehensive health checks as part of their ongoing lifetime care.

The sanctuary’s veterinary team and specialist experts carried out the examinations to assess the chimpanzees’ long-term health, detect early signs of disease and tailor care plans as they age.

Under anaesthetic, the chimpanzees received dental examinations and thorough teeth cleanings. The team also checked their eyes, heart, lungs, abdomen and nervous system, conducted blood tests and heart scans, gave booster vaccinations and trimmed their fingernails.

Belen Perez Hernando, the sanctuary’s veterinarian, said: “The health checks are a vital part of caring for these chimpanzees who have been through so much. Many aspects of their health care will feel familiar to people. We check for healthy teeth and gums, good eyesight, strong heart and lung function, normal blood results and signs that their joints, abdomen and nervous system are all working as they should. The aim is to spot concerns early and do all we can to make sure each individual continues to live safely and comfortably in their sanctuary home.”

The chimpanzees are among dozens living on mangrove forest-covered islands, where they roam freely in social groups. They were temporarily moved to a purpose-built chimp villa while their island home receives an upgrade and will return early next year.

Many were captured from the wild as infants before enduring decades of invasive and distressing experiments. Second Chance is the only sanctuary in Africa to care for former laboratory chimps.