Impalas are highly social African antelopes requiring well-managed herd structures and ample space to express natural flight and social behaviors in captivity.
Impalas in captivity face challenges from confinement of natural flight responses and disrupted herd structures. Adequate space for running and escape routes, stable group compositions, and visual barriers to reduce predator-induced stress are critical. Mixed-species housing can provide enrichment but must be carefully managed to prevent interspecies stress.