Mountain gorillas are one of conservation's great success stories, with their population slowly recovering, but ongoing threats and welfare challenges remain significant.
Mountain gorilla welfare is inextricably linked to conservation. Snares set for other animals maim gorillas, requiring veterinary intervention that itself causes stress. Human disease transmission from tourists and rangers poses serious mortality risk. Habituation to humans — necessary for tourism — may increase stress or reduce natural behavioral repertoires. Infant orphaning from poaching creates long-term social and psychological trauma in survivors. Conservation organizations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project work to monitor health, treat injuries, and minimize human-wildlife contact risks.