[Life and death of captive eastern gorillas (Gorilla beringei) (1923-2012)].

The evolving channels through which zoos acquire animals is an important-albeit often ignored-part of the history of these institutions, allowing a better understanding of human-animal relationships. Following current developments in animal history, this essay focuses on animals themselves, their experience of capture, and of captivity. A micro-historical approach based on the case of Eastern gorillas'capture highlights human practices and policies, their effects on gorillas and the evolution towards a decrease of captures.