Primates have complex social needs that require sophisticated group management in zoos. Social housing quality is among the most important determinants of primate welfare.
Primate social housing quality is the single most important welfare variable for most primate species in captivity. A primate housed in an impoverished enclosure with a stable compatible social group may have better welfare than one in a complex environment but poor social management. Species-appropriate group composition — accounting for natural social structures including multi-male, multi-female groups for some species and pair or family groups for others — is the welfare foundation. Ongoing group management requires monitoring social dynamics, ensuring subordinate access to resources through feeding management, and responding appropriately to social disruption through introductions, transfers or reproductive events.