Andean bears are the only bear species native to South America and face both wild habitat pressures and captive welfare challenges related to their specific behavioral and environmental needs.
Andean bear welfare in captivity suffers from the knowledge gaps that affect all less commonly held species — welfare standards are often extrapolated rather than derived from species-specific research. Zoos holding Andean bears have a particular responsibility to contribute to welfare knowledge development alongside conservation breeding, as the small captive population means that poor welfare standards affect a significant proportion of all captive individuals. Investment in Andean bear-specific welfare research benefits both captive and wild populations through improved understanding.