Western gorillas are critically endangered great apes with profound social intelligence. Their welfare in captivity depends on multi-individual groups, appropriate male management, and environments that support natural behaviour.
Gorilla welfare in zoos is substantially shaped by group structure and male management. Single male groups with females and offspring replicate natural social organisation and support psychological wellbeing. Lone male housing, common for surplus bachelor males, requires bachelor groups that — while not natural — provide social stimulation. Heart disease is the dominant welfare concern for long-term captive gorillas; research links it to stress hormones and potentially to high-starch captive diets compared to high-fibre wild diets. Browse provision, foraging enrichment that occupies significant time, positive relationships with keepers, and consistent social group membership are the primary welfare priorities. Training gorillas for voluntary veterinary procedures through positive reinforcement dramatically reduces the stress and anaesthesia risk of health monitoring.