Sun bears are the smallest bear species and one of the least understood. Their welfare in zoos requires naturalistic enrichment, appropriate social management, and dedicated keeper expertise.
Zoo sun bears face welfare challenges rooted in their specialized foraging ecology and sensitivity to understimulating environments. Chronic boredom and frustration in barren enclosures produce stereotypic pacing and self-directed behaviors. Natural sun bear foraging involves complex manipulation of wood, soil, and vegetation to extract insects and honey — enrichment programs must replicate this complexity to provide meaningful behavioral stimulation. Social housing can work with compatible individuals but requires careful monitoring. Bears rescued from the pet trade require long-term rehabilitation that addresses the profound behavioral consequences of early isolation. Welfare assessment in sun bears benefits from the detailed behavioral baseline being developed by specialist organizations.