The spectacled bear is the only bear species native to South America and the largest carnivore on the continent. Their welfare needs in captivity and conservation in the Andes present distinct challenges.
Spectacled bear welfare in captivity requires replicating aspects of their diverse Andean forest habitat. Their highly varied diet — dozens of plant species, supplemented with insects and occasional small mammals — must be approximated with diverse browse, fruit, and specialized enrichment. Unlike many bear species, they do not hibernate, requiring year-round environmental complexity. Social dynamics in captivity are tricky: while largely solitary in the wild, some pairs bond successfully in zoo settings. Their climbing abilities require substantial arboreal structure. In their wild range, spectacled bears are frequently killed for raiding crops — particularly corn and sugarcane — as their forest habitat shrinks into agricultural margins. Community-based conservation linking bear presence to ecotourism income is proving effective in several Andean regions.