Old World and New World monkeys have diverse social systems and behavioural needs. Providing appropriate group structure, cognitive enrichment, and environmental complexity is central to their captive welfare.
Monkey welfare is inseparable from cognitive and social complexity. Primates housed alone or in barren environments develop abnormal repetitive behaviours that are direct indicators of psychological suffering. The species diversity within the primate order means welfare management cannot be generic: macaques, marmosets, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys each have distinct social systems, dietary needs, and behavioural repertoires requiring tailored management. Best-practice primate facilities use large, vertically complex enclosures, stable social groups with natural age and sex composition, daily foraging enrichment, and keeper relationships built through positive reinforcement. Behavioural observation and welfare assessment track the effectiveness of management decisions and enable continuous improvement.