Chimpanzee complex

Since 2006 AAP has a Chimpanzee complex, with room for over 50 chimpanzees. In the complex are 28 infected chimpanzees from the BPRC laboratory in Rijswijk. Furthermore there are some non-infected animals in different small groups.

Security measures

The infected animals in the Chimpanzee complex are infected with a transmissible virus, such as HIV or hepatitis C. The chimpanzees themselves do not get sick from these viruses, but they are contageous. For this reason AAP has established strict security measures, such as face shields, which the caretakers have to ware in order to prevent the chimpanzees from spitting in their eyes.

The complex contains three strictly separated departments:

• The quarantine, for every new inhabitant and for sick animals. The quarantine is completely indoors.
• The resocialisation unit, where new, healthy animals learn to live in a group again. This unit consists of several indoor and outdoor enclosures, which can be combined or seperated.
  
• The Special Care Unit, where the infected animals will remain the rest of their lives. These enclosures are the largest of the complex, since they are the permanent home for our infected chimpanzees.