Captive owls require specific enrichment for flight exercise, hunting stimulation, and sensory needs that are rarely fully met in typical facilities.
Owls are nocturnal hunters with specific sensory and behavioral needs that daytime display settings frustrate. Daytime shows disturb nocturnal rest patterns. Continuous tethering prevents natural behavior. The welfare challenge is providing adequate flight exercise and hunting opportunities in commercial or educational settings. Many captive owl facilities fall short of these requirements.