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What Kind of Enclosure Would a Gorilla Need If in a Zoo?

To keep gorillas responsibly in a zoo, it is vital for the enclosure to be as similar to the animal's wild habitat as possible. Gorillas are social animals and should be housed in groups of several females and a single male. The enclosure must be able to accommodate the number of animals it holds, while enabling the gorillas to distance themselves from one another if they choose to. The gorilla is also an extremely intelligent animal and must be provided with mental stimulation in its environment to remain contented.

Indoor Living Space
- A gorilla's enclosure must have a large indoor living space in which they can shelter from wet or cold weather. The indoor space should have a number of different compartments to allow the gorillas to get away from one another if they choose to. This is the place where the gorillas will be expected to nest and sleep so it is important for hay to be provided as bedding. In the wild gorillas will move to a new place every time they want to nest, and this natural behavior can be recreated by the keepers, who can provide new bedding on a regular basis for each gorilla to arrange in its own way.
Outdoor Living Space
- A large outdoor living area is a necessity for gorillas in captivity, as they require space to exercise and to forage. Gorillas that are housed in exhibits that are too small for them can become overweight and even mentally damaged, according to Gorillas World.com. The outdoor space should have a large amount of foliage, including grasses, plants and trees. Keepers can encourage the gorilla's natural foraging behavior by scattering vegetables around the exhibit for the animals to search for food. Small pieces of food stuffed into the holes in a tree stump will keep the gorillas entertained and mentally stimulated, according to GorillaGestures.info.
Enrichment
- Gorillas must be provided with securely built climbing frames on which to climb and play. A climbing frame should consist of a number of different levels, and it can also incorporate hanging tires for the gorillas to play with and ropes for swinging. Ideally, the climbing frame should be changed every few years to provide a new construction for the animals to explore.
Barriers
- For the sake of the gorillas and the viewing public, it is vital that the walls of the exhibit are clearly marked, strong and sturdy. The indoor section of the enclosure should have a viewing point made of thick transparent glass panels. The outdoor area can be effectively separated from the public by a wide moat, filled with water, as well as a concrete wall that the guests can look over. This also creates a distance between the public and the animals to make the gorillas feel more comfortable. Keepers should place signs around the viewing areas to warn guests not to tease the gorillas, because this can cause the animals to become stressed and exhibit threatening behavior, according to Gorillas World.com.

Animals & Science