Capuchin monkeys are highly intelligent primates that need complex social environments and cognitive stimulation. Effective enrichment programs are essential for their welfare in captivity.
Capuchin welfare in zoos requires addressing both social and cognitive needs. These monkeys are highly motivated to manipulate objects and solve problems, and when deprived of opportunities they develop repetitive behaviors indicating frustration. Group composition must allow stable social relationships with age and sex diversity. Enrichment programs that scatter food, provide puzzle feeders, and rotate novel objects maintain behavioral complexity. Social capuchins kept in isolation for training or medical purposes suffer significantly. Zoos that invest in naturalistic foraging environments and complex social groupings consistently observe better welfare outcomes compared to those with basic enclosures.