Mountain gorilla silverbacks bear unique welfare burdens as protectors of their groups, facing risks from poachers, disease, and rival males that require conservation attention.
Silverbacks injured by snares or rival males may suffer with untreated wounds in dense forest terrain where veterinary access is difficult. Snare injuries cause particularly serious welfare problems as legs or hands caught in wire become gangrenous without treatment. The welfare of silverbacks is critical not just individually but for the social stability of entire groups who depend on their protection. The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project has developed protocols for minimally invasive field intervention.