African lions in zoos face unique welfare challenges related to space, social structure, and behavioural expression. Understanding their needs is essential for high-quality captive management.
Lions in captivity can experience good welfare when managed with attention to social needs, space, and behavioural opportunity. Key welfare risks include isolation of individuals from conspecifics, small enclosures that prevent locomotion and exploration, and lack of hunting-related enrichment. Stereotypic pacing, a sign of chronic stress, is reduced by environmental complexity. Modern best-practice facilities use scent enrichment, live prey items (where legal), puzzle feeders, and large naturalistic exhibits with water features and elevated resting points.