Bears are large, intelligent, wide-ranging omnivores whose welfare in captivity requires large spaces, cognitive enrichment, and careful management of seasonal needs.
Bear welfare in captivity is a story of gradual improvement driven by welfare science and public pressure. Traditional bear pits — the worst historical exhibits — have been largely replaced in accredited zoos by larger, more complex environments. But even modern exhibits often fall short of providing the space and cognitive stimulation that bears need. Stereotypic pacing remains common, a visible indicator that enclosure complexity is insufficient. Good bear welfare requires ongoing investment in enrichment, not just enclosure design: regular novelty, foraging opportunities, and seasonal management of hibernation needs. Bears that cannot express their behavioural complexity become bored and frustrated animals that contradict the conservation messaging their exhibits are meant to serve.