Western gorillas are highly social great apes whose welfare in captivity depends on stable, age-structured family groups, extensive space and sophisticated behavioral management to replicate key aspects of wild social life.
Gorilla welfare in captivity is among the most intensively studied and improved areas of zoo animal management. The shift from concrete-floored bachelor group exhibits of the mid-twentieth century to today best-practice naturalistic family group facilities with deep substrate, climbing infrastructure, browse and multiple interconnected spaces represents genuine welfare progress. Yet challenges remain: silverbacks in captivity may develop cardiovascular disease at significantly higher rates than wild counterparts, possibly linked to inactivity and diet; reproductive females benefit from natural weaning and infant care learning opportunities that require multigenerational groups; and group introductions remain complex management events. Continuous welfare monitoring through behavioral indicators and physiological measures is essential for high-standard gorilla management.