Mandrills are among the world's largest monkeys, with complex social structures and vivid sexual ornamentation that reflect a demanding social environment requiring careful welfare management in zoos.
Mandrills present welfare challenges that are common to highly social primates: their rich social world cannot be adequately replicated in small captive groups. The dynamic social hierarchies, coalition politics, and communication repertoire of wild mandrill troops require both group size and environmental complexity that tax zoo management capacity. Small groups of mandrills are at risk of chronic social tension because the behavioural mechanisms for managing conflict require the full social complexity of larger groups to function. Best-practice facilities house mandrills in larger groups with substrate enrichment, foraging challenges, and enough space for subordinate individuals to maintain distance when needed. The conservation role of zoo-held mandrills — contributing to ex-situ populations — justifies the significant welfare investment required.