Mandrills are the world's largest monkeys, with complex social structures and striking coloration. Their welfare in captivity requires appropriate group sizes and environmental enrichment.
Mandrill welfare in captivity is significantly shaped by group composition and size. Wild mandrills live in the largest primate social groups of any species, and captive groups of just a few individuals represent a profound social deprivation compared to their evolved social environment. High-welfare mandrill facilities maintain mixed-sex groups of sufficient size to allow expression of complex social behaviors including grooming networks and dominance display. Environmental enrichment should support the species foraging-intensive lifestyle through scattered food, climbing structures, and foraging substrate. The vibrant facial coloration of male mandrills is a social signal whose expression reflects hormonal status and social position — its presence indicates adequate social stimulation in well-managed groups.