Meerkats are highly social cooperative breeders whose welfare depends critically on appropriate group management.
Meerkat welfare in zoos depends on managing the social complexity of cooperative breeding groups. These highly social animals need appropriately structured groups with dominant pairs and subordinate helpers to express natural behaviors. Small or poorly constituted groups cause chronic social stress. The popularity of meerkats as zoo animals creates commercial pressure to display them in inadequate conditions — welfare advocates must ensure visitor appeal does not override animal welfare requirements.