{
  "id": 5755638,
  "title": "Chimpanzees once used for vaccine research get health checks as part of long-term care",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/chimpanzees-once-used-for-vaccine-research-get-health-checks-as-part",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-05T09:53:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/chimpanzees-liberia-health-checks-hepatitis-vaccine-4e272415483649a66518f91ae3d01f39"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Liberia, a sanctuary for chimpanzees called Humane World for Animals has been conducting comprehensive health checks on a group of chimps who were once used in hepatitis B vaccine experiments. The sanctuary, located on mangrove forest-covered islands, aims to provide these chimpanzees with a second chance at a normal life. Over 400 West African chimpanzees, many of which were captured in the wild as infants, were used for research in Liberia between the 1970s and early 2000s. The West African chimpanzee species is critically endangered due to their rapidly decreasing population. The sanctuary's director, Liliana Pacheco Ricote, explained that the chimpanzees underwent invasive research and suffered immensely during the experiments. In 2015, Humane World for Animals took responsibility for 60 of the remaining chimpanzees. The recent health checks, performed under anesthesia, involved a thorough examination of the chimpanzees' heads, teeth, heart, lungs, nervous system, blood, and nails. Boosters vaccines and pedicures were also administered to the chimps. Plans are in place to carry out similar health checks for the remaining chimpanzees.",
  "summary": "ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A group of chimpanzees that were once used for hepatitis B vaccine experiments in laboratories have…",
  "key_points": [
    "Chimpanzees used in hepatitis B vaccine experiments get health checks",
    "Over 400 West African chimpanzees used for research in Liberia",
    "Sanctuary aims to provide normal life for the rescued chimps"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Chimpanzees once used for vaccine research get health checks as part of long-term care",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/chimpanzees-once-used-for-vaccine-research-get-health-checks-as-part-5769496",
        "published": "2026-09-05T09:48:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Chimpanzees once used for vaccine research get health checks as part of long-term care",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/chimpanzees-once-used-for-vaccine-research-get-health-checks-as-part-5759731",
        "published": "2026-09-05T09:48:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}