Capuchin monkeys are highly intelligent New World primates whose welfare in captivity requires complex enrichment, appropriate social groups, and stimulating environments.
Capuchin monkey welfare is strongly influenced by cognitive stimulation and social group quality. Their high intelligence means that environmental deprivation creates rapid psychological deterioration and stereotypic behavior. Enrichment programs must provide genuine cognitive challenge rather than simple food delivery, using puzzle complexity that maintains difficulty as capuchins learn solutions. Appropriate multi-animal social housing with complex group dynamics provides the social cognitive engagement that wild capuchins experience constantly. The history of capuchins as assistance animals for disabled humans reflects their cognitive capability while raising welfare concerns about the training methods and social deprivation involved.