Not all individuals respond to the same challenges in the same way. A new scientific study has shed light on how the "hidden" traits of primate personality dictate their interaction with cognitive stimuli. The research, led by Jose Gil-Dolz and Miquel Llorente from the Comparative Minds group (University of Girona), has demonstrated that personality factors—specifically social vigilance—play a decisive role in how western gorillas solve complex feeding tasks.

The study of animal personality—consistent individual differences in behavior—is becoming a cornerstone for modern primatology. While environmental enrichment is widely used to promote welfare, this research focuses on the "who" rather than just the "what," seeking to understand why some individuals excel at cognitive challenges while others show less interest or efficiency.

The weight of social vigilance. Conducting research at the Barcelona Zoo and the Cabárceno Natural Park, the team observed a group of 17 gorillas facing a task that required retrieving food from a specialized device. Their results confirm that personality traits significantly impact performance. Specifically, individuals scoring high in the "Protection" factor—those more attentive to their social environment and the actions of their group mates—showed lower success rates. According to the authors, this suggests a trade-off: gorillas highly focused on social monitoring may have fewer cognitive resources available for individual problem-solving.

The role of sex and experience. One of the most striking findings of the study is the influence of sex on efficiency. The data revealed that females were more efficient than males in the food extraction task. Furthermore, the research highlighted the power of learning: regardless of their initial traits, all individuals showed progressive improvement across sessions, confirming that practice and experience are vital for cognitive development.

"These results underscore that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to enrichment may not be enough," the researchers note. "To truly optimize welfare, we must consider the unique psychological profile of each individual."

Personalized welfare. By identifying three main personality factors—Extraversion, Protection, and Fearfulness—the team has provided a roadmap for caretakers and researchers to tailor enrichment programs. Understanding that a "protective" or socially-focused gorilla might need a different environment to succeed than a more "bold" or "extroverted" peer is a major step forward in evidence-based management.

This work, a collaboration between the University of Girona, the LoroParque Foundation, and the support of the Zoo de Barcelona and the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno, reinforces Comparative Minds as a leading group in the study of individual differences and primate welfare.

Reference: Gil-Dolz, J., Padrell, M., Úbeda, Y., Gandarillas Chicote, L., & Llorente, M. (2026). Exploring the Relationship Between Personality, Interest, and Success in Cognitive Enrichment in Western Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). International Journal of Primatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-026-00549-y