Housing multiple species together in zoo exhibits can enrich the lives of social animals or create serious welfare problems, depending on species compatibility and management quality.
Multi-species housing introduces both opportunities and risks for captive animal welfare. When compatible species coexist successfully, the result is a richer social environment, more naturalistic behavioral repertoire, and reduced boredom. When the pairing is poorly managed, subordinate animals face chronic harassment, reduced feeding access, and elevated stress hormones. Welfare assessment of mixed-species exhibits requires monitoring all individuals, not just the most visible, and providing management intervention before stress escalates to injury.