Sloth bears are specialist insectivores from South Asian forests. Their unique feeding biology and sensitive temperament create welfare management challenges in zoo settings.
Sloth bear welfare in captivity is significantly affected by their specialised feeding ecology and highly reactive temperament. The prevalence of head weaving stereotypy in captive sloth bears indicates that standard zoo environments frequently fail to meet their behavioural needs. Foraging enrichment that replicates termite extraction — sealed containers requiring tool-like use to access food, scatter feeding, and varied substrate provision — reduces stereotypy and increases positive behavioural states. Their aggressive potential makes keeper safety a welfare co-issue: safe management systems enabling enrichment provision without stress to bears or risk to staff require investment in exhibit design. Ex-dancing bears require particular patience in rehabilitation — years of performance stress require sustained welfare-positive management to see genuine recovery.