Tigers are solitary, wide-ranging hunters whose welfare in captivity depends on high-quality enrichment, appropriate space, and social management. Without adequate stimulation, tigers develop stereotypic behaviours that indicate chronic welfare deficits.
Tiger welfare in captivity depends on a commitment to enrichment as a daily, varied, and skilled practice — not a static provision of permanent fixtures. The most effective tiger enrichment engages olfactory, predatory, and exploratory motivation simultaneously: novel scents associated with prey, whole prey items requiring manipulation, water features for swimming and play, and space large enough to run. Tigers in impoverished environments develop stereotypic pacing within weeks — a behaviourally compelling indicator of unmet welfare needs. Facilities that invest in enrichment programmes and measure welfare outcomes through behavioural observation demonstrate that captive tiger welfare, while inevitably compromised by space, can be substantially improved through enrichment quality.