Bears in zoo settings require extensive space, complex foraging environments, and accommodation of seasonal behavioural changes including denning and pseudo-hibernation to achieve acceptable welfare.
Bears present some of the most challenging welfare requirements in zoo management. Their combination of large natural ranges, high intelligence, and strong foraging motivation means that enclosures which would satisfy many species leave bears profoundly understimulated. Stereotypic pacing — bears walking the same route repeatedly, sometimes for hours — is so common in inadequately enriched zoo bear enclosures that it has historically been normalised. Research clearly links this behaviour to welfare deficiency. Best-practice bear facilities feature large, complex enclosures with water, varied substrate, puzzle feeders, scatter feeding, digging opportunities, and for species with hibernation requirements, proper denning facilities. Zoos unable to meet these demanding standards should question whether they should hold bears at all.