Gorillas are highly social animals whose welfare depends fundamentally on appropriate group composition, space, and social complexity in zoo settings.
Gorillas are among the most socially complex mammals and suffer profoundly from inadequate social housing. Isolation causes stereotypic behaviour, self-injury, and chronic stress indicators. Even paired housing may be insufficient if compatibility is poor. Well-managed multi-individual groups with complex environments that allow choice and appropriate inter-individual distance are essential for psychological wellbeing.