Zoo welfare science has developed evidence-based frameworks for assessing and improving welfare of captive wild animals, moving beyond basic husbandry to positive welfare promotion.
Zoo welfare science has transformed practice in leading facilities over recent decades. Behavioural enrichment, naturalistic habitat design, social grouping, and positive reinforcement training have replaced the barren concrete exhibits of earlier eras. But variation between facilities is enormous, and welfare in poorly resourced zoos globally remains very poor. Consumer expectations, accreditation requirements, and the commitment of individual zoo professionals drive improvements. The fundamental question of whether some species — great apes, elephants, large carnivores — can achieve adequate welfare in captive zoo settings remains contested.