Both eastern and western gorilla species face extinction from habitat loss and bushmeat hunting, with welfare harm caused by the destruction of the social family groups that are central to gorilla psychology.
Gorilla welfare is inseparable from habitat and social group integrity. When adult gorillas are killed for bushmeat, infants are traumatically separated from their family groups and face extreme welfare harm from social isolation, stress, and inappropriate human captivity in the illegal pet trade. Habitat fragmentation isolates gorilla groups, reducing genetic diversity and forcing contact with human settlements where disease transmission is more likely. Ebola virus disease has caused catastrophic mortality in western gorilla populations with severe welfare consequences for surviving family members. Conservation efforts that protect intact forest and family groups directly protect gorilla welfare at the individual and population level.