Spotted hyenas have complex matriarchal social structures and high intelligence that make their welfare in captivity highly sensitive to social group composition, space, and cognitive enrichment.
Spotted hyena welfare in captivity is compromised by the near-impossibility of replicating the complex social environment of a wild clan within zoo constraints. A pair of hyenas or a small group is experiencing profound social impoverishment compared to the dozens of named, rank-ordered relationships they evolved to maintain. Cognitive enrichment can partially address the intelligence dimension of their needs, but cannot substitute for social complexity. The welfare standard for captive spotted hyenas should acknowledge this gap honestly and prioritize the largest feasible social groups, most complex environments, and most cognitively stimulating enrichment programs available.