Meerkats are highly social mongoose relatives that live in complex cooperative groups. Their welfare in zoos depends critically on maintaining appropriate group structures and social hierarchies.
Meerkat welfare in zoos requires maintaining stable group hierarchies without the population pressure that drives natural group splits. Too-small groups cannot sustain normal cooperative behaviour; too-large groups in restricted space create welfare-compromising aggression. Introducing new individuals disrupts hierarchy stability and causes intense aggression. Deep digging substrates that allow natural foraging behaviour are essential but often absent in suboptimal enclosures. The species' popularity in UK zoos means welfare standards vary considerably between facilities.