Bonobos are our closest living relatives alongside chimpanzees and have profound social and cognitive needs. Ensuring their welfare in zoo settings requires careful attention to social complexity.
Bonobo welfare in zoos is severely compromised when social group composition is inadequate. Single-sex groups, small groups, or groups with imbalanced age-sex ratios fail to meet their social needs. Stereotypic behaviors, aggression, and self-injurious behavior are indicators of chronic psychological distress. High-quality bonobo care requires large, naturalistic enclosures with complex social groups, extensive behavioral enrichment, and trained staff who understand bonobo communication. Welfare standards must prioritize psychological wellbeing alongside physical health.