As gorillas in zoo populations age, they face welfare challenges including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and cognitive decline, requiring specialised geriatric care adapted from both human and veterinary medicine.
The demographic shift to older zoo gorilla populations has created a new frontier in primate geriatric care. Heart disease — particularly aortic root dilation leading to rupture — kills many older male gorillas suddenly and without obvious prior signs, making welfare monitoring difficult. Facilities now train gorillas to present for voluntary echocardiograms without sedation, allowing cardiac monitoring at regular intervals. Where heart disease is detected early, ACE inhibitors and dietary modification can extend life while maintaining quality. Arthritis management involves environmental modification (ramp access, padded resting areas), anti-inflammatory medication, and physiotherapy. Social dynamics in aging groups require careful monitoring — an aging silverback who loses dominance but remains in the group may face chronic social stress without appropriate management. The welfare goal is not just longevity but active, engaged, comfortable later life.