Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered due to Ebola outbreaks, bushmeat hunting, and habitat destruction, with welfare implications at every stage of their threatened lives.
The welfare suffering associated with western lowland gorilla decline occurs at multiple levels. Ebola deaths cause agonising illness over days. Bushmeat hunting kills adult gorillas while traumatising surviving juveniles who witness family deaths. Infant gorillas captured for the pet trade suffer severe psychological trauma from social isolation. In sanctuary settings, orphan gorillas require surrogate social groups and years of rehabilitation before even beginning reintroduction assessment. Captive zoo gorillas require complex social groupings, environmental enrichment, and cognitive stimulation to maintain psychological welfare.