The Institute is dedicated to researching and publicizing chimpanzees' unique status and special needs.
Chimpanzees merit special concern as our closest non-human relatives and as an endangered species.
As Dr. Goodall states, we are not separated from the rest of the animal kingdom by an unbridgeable chasm. Rather, we are simply a part of the intricate tapestry of life. Chimpanzee behavior, social relations, emotional expressions and needs, and intellectual abilities are extremely similar to humans. Due to our striking physiological similarities, chimpanzees are used in biomedical research. Tragically, chimpanzees' physical and psychological well-being are often ignored, especially when they are housed in deplorable and inhumane conditions.