Lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs in zoo settings require sophisticated enrichment programmes to prevent the psychological decline seen in large carnivores kept in barren conditions.
Large carnivores in captivity face profound challenges to normal behaviour. Without the locomotion, hunting behaviour, territory marking, and prey variety of wild life, boredom and frustration manifest as stereotypic pacing that can occupy hours per day. Enrichment programmes that introduce novel scents, varied food presentation, climbing structures, and hunting simulations significantly reduce these behaviours. The goal is not merely to reduce stereotypy but to promote positive states — curiosity, engagement, and relaxation — that reflect something closer to positive welfare. Progressive zoos treat enrichment as science rather than entertainment.