Primates in zoos face particular welfare challenges because of their cognitive complexity, social sophistication, and the wide gap between their natural ranging behaviour and captive enclosures.
Primate welfare in zoos is among the most challenging and contested in captive animal management. Their cognitive complexity means that enrichment designed for other species is insufficient. Social complexity means that inappropriate groupings cause chronic stress. Cognitive sophistication enables them to experience boredom, frustration, and grief in ways that may be more richly experienced than in less cognitively complex species. The most progressive institutions are developing sanctuaries as alternatives to traditional zoo display for great apes.