Great apes are among the most cognitively complex zoo animals and require sophisticated social and environmental management to achieve good welfare.
Great apes in captivity face welfare challenges that are directly proportional to their cognitive complexity. Highly intelligent animals in barren or socially impoverished environments develop severe psychological problems including depression, self-mutilation, and stereotypies. Chimpanzee social groups with inappropriate composition create chronic stress through dominance conflicts. Outdoor access in temperate climates requires careful management as great apes are susceptible to cold and damp. Zoo accreditation schemes have driven substantial improvements, but some legacy facilities still hold apes in conditions that fall far short of current standards.