Polar bears are among the most challenging species to maintain in captivity, with their vast natural home ranges, specialised hunting behaviours and solitary nature creating profound welfare difficulties.
Polar bear welfare in captivity is widely regarded as one of the most challenging problems in zoo biology. The neurological underpinning of stereotypic pacing — representing frustrated ranging and hunting motivation — reflects the fundamental mismatch between a species evolved for vast, dynamic Arctic landscapes and the constraints of even large zoo enclosures. These stereotypies are not merely repetitive movements; they represent permanent neurological changes resulting from early environmental deprivation or frustration. No enclosure size practically achievable in a zoo context can replicate the scale of natural polar bear ranging. Enrichment programs (ice blocks, puzzle feeders, swimming pools) provide some alleviation but do not eliminate stereotypies in animals that have already developed them. The ethical case for continuing to hold polar bears in captivity — when conservation benefit to wild populations is marginal — deserves serious institutional examination. Some progressive zoos have already decided to phase out polar bear keeping.