Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are the world's largest monkeys and highly intelligent social primates. Foraging enrichment that mirrors their complex wild diet is essential for their welfare.
Mandrills have an exceptionally strong foraging motivation. In the wild they range over several kilometers daily, probing soil, turning logs, and processing dozens of food types. Zoo provision of two or three daily feedings fails to meet this behavioral need, leading to boredom, aggression, and stereotypic behavior. Effective enrichment programs scatter food throughout large, complex enclosures, hide insects in bark, bury tubers, and hang fruit at varying heights to extend active foraging time across the day. Rotating enrichment novelty is critical — mandrills quickly habituate to repeated enrichment types. Group social management must account for male dominance hierarchy dynamics, as low-ranking individuals may be excluded from enrichment if not distributed appropriately.