Honey badgers are remarkably resilient animals with complex cognitive abilities whose welfare is threatened by human conflict and habitat encroachment.
Honey badger welfare is compromised primarily through conflict with humans. Their intelligence and persistence in raiding poultry and livestock brings them into direct conflict with farmers who often trap and kill them. When trapped, honey badgers are exceptionally stressed and injure themselves severely attempting escape. Their high cognitive ability likely means they experience both boredom in captivity and distress during conflict encounters. Coexistence strategies including predator-proof enclosures reduce conflict without harming these intelligent animals.