Gorillas are highly social primates whose welfare in captivity depends critically on appropriate social group composition and complexity.
Gorilla welfare in captivity depends fundamentally on social complexity. Single-sex bachelor groups, multi-male multi-female groups, and family groups all have management challenges but are preferable to solitary housing. Silverbacks approaching maturity in natal groups must be managed carefully to prevent inter-male aggression. Modern best practice uses large naturalistic enclosures, visual and physical complexity, and enrichment programmes that support the full range of social and foraging behaviours.