Sun bears are highly intelligent, curious, and physically dexterous omnivores from Southeast Asian forests. Providing adequate cognitive enrichment in zoo settings is critical to preventing boredom-related stereotypies.
Sun bears in zoo settings are at high risk of welfare compromise through boredom and understimulation. Their natural foraging ecology — probing tree cavities, ripping bark, extracting insects and honey over wide territories — requires sustained cognitive and physical engagement that simple food presentation cannot satisfy. Stereotypic pacing and head-weaving in captive sun bears are well-documented and indicate chronic psychological distress. Enrichment programmes that provide foraging challenges — log feeders, frozen honey blocks, buried food, varied novel objects — can substantially reduce stereotypic behaviour and increase active, goal-directed activity. Keeper-animal training using positive reinforcement not only facilitates veterinary care but provides regular structured cognitive engagement. Social housing decisions require careful individual assessment: while some sun bears tolerate companionship, others are stressed by conspecific presence. Habitat design should include climbing structures, water features, and substrates for digging.