Non-human primates in zoos require extraordinarily complex social and physical environments; most facilities face significant challenges meeting their needs.
Primates are among the most socially complex and cognitively demanding animals in captivity. Social group composition that cannot be freely chosen causes chronic stress and aggression. Inadequate environmental complexity leads to boredom, stereotypy, and self-harm. Even high-quality facilities struggle to provide the social richness of wild primate groups. The ethical justification for primate captivity increasingly requires exceptional conservation contribution to offset welfare costs.