Spectacled bears are the only bear species native to South America and the only surviving short-faced bear. Their welfare in zoos requires attention to their unique ecological and behavioural needs.
Spectacled bears present specific welfare challenges in captivity due to their primary herbivory, extensive ranging, and arboreal lifestyle. Enclosures that fail to provide climbing structures of appropriate size and complexity deprive these bears of natural movement patterns. Their diet must reflect their predominantly plant-based wild diet rather than the fish or meat-heavy diet appropriate for omnivorous brown bears. Social management is critical as they are naturally solitary, and incompatible pairings lead to stress and injury. The small global zoo population means individual animal histories are well documented, allowing personalized care — but also means any welfare failure has significant population-level implications.