Bonobos are the least studied great ape and one of the most challenging to keep in captivity due to their complex social and sexual behavior, strong maternal bonds, and requirements for large, socially rich environments.
Bonobo welfare in captivity is strongly influenced by the complexity of their social environment. The female-dominant social structure and conflict resolution through social-sexual behavior are difficult to manage in zoo settings where mixed-sex groups require careful monitoring. Bonobos denied appropriate social companions show significant behavioral abnormalities. The extremely small global captive population limits social options. The Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary model — large forested enclosures with complex social groups and ultimate wild release goals — represents a welfare ideal that conventional zoo exhibits struggle to approach.