Mandrills are highly social primates requiring complex social structures and environmental enrichment to thrive in zoological settings. Understanding their needs is key to good welfare.
Mandrills are among the most socially complex primates and suffer profoundly when housed in isolation or minimal groups. Welfare best practice requires multi-male multi-female groups with naturalistic social dynamics. Large naturalistic enclosures with varied substrates, foraging opportunities and visual barriers are essential for psychological wellbeing.