Wild felids from cheetahs to lions face specific welfare challenges in captivity that require large spaces, enriched environments, and careful social management.
Large felids in zoos face an inherent tension between their need for space, territorial behaviour, and complex activity patterns and the practical constraints of captive environments. Stereotypic pacing is the most visible indicator of welfare compromise and is associated with insufficient enclosure complexity rather than simply small size. Females with cubs require separation from males and may need additional space and shelter. Cheetahs under social and reproductive stress show compromised immune function and reproductive failure. Modern accreditation standards have driven significant enclosure improvements, but older facilities still hold large cats in conditions inadequate by current welfare standards.