Wolverines are wide-ranging boreal predators with extraordinary spatial needs; their welfare in captivity requires thoughtful consideration of space, stimulation, and natural behavior.
Wolverine welfare in captivity is dominated by the challenge of meeting their extraordinary spatial and exploratory needs within zoo enclosures. Stereotypic pacing is common in wolverines with inadequate space. Enclosures should be as large as feasible with complex terrain, multiple habitat types, and abundant hiding and denning opportunities. Caching behavior — burying food for later retrieval — is a core natural behavior that can be supported through scatter feeding in substrates. Cold temperatures and snow access are important for species appropriate to boreal environments. Their solitary nature means single housing or carefully managed pairs are appropriate. Conservation value of captive wolverines is moderate — education and ambassador roles are primary justifications for keeping them.