- Matsumoto-Oda, A., Utsumi, D., Takahashi, K., Hirata, S., Nyachieo, A., Chai, D., Jillani, N., & Raymond, M. (2025). Inter-species differences in wound-healing rate: a comparative study involving primates and rodents. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Science, Volume 292, Issue 2045.
- Onishi, E., Brooks, J., Inoue, S., & Yamamoto, S.(2025) Socially contagious urination in chimpanzees Current Biology.
- Matsumoto, T., Iwata, I., Sakamoto, T., & Hirata, S. (2024) First noncontact millimeter-wave radar measurement of heart rate in great apes: Validation in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology, e23633.
- Hirata, S. (2024) Treatment of hepatitis in ex-biomedical chimpanzees at a Japanese sanctuary thanks to support from the general public. Primates
Located approximately 800 km southwest of Kyoto University's main campus, Kumamoto Sanctuary (KS) is Japan's first and only sanctuary for chimpanzees and bonobos. It provides a permanent, peaceful home where dedicated staff are committed to the physical and psychological well-being of every resident. Originally established as a private facility, KS was transferred to Kyoto University on August 1, 2011, and has since become part of the Wildlife Research Center (WRC).
In Japan, chimpanzees are no longer used in laboratory research. All individuals formerly involved in biomedical studies have been retired to KS. The final three chimpanzees from the country's last biomedical research facility were transferred here on May 15, 2012. Additionally, six bonobos now reside at KS, having arrived in two groups in December 2013 and May 2014. Please note that KS is not open to the public for health and safety reasons.
