Polar bears present extreme welfare challenges in zoo settings due to their vast natural home ranges, swimming needs, and the mismatch between zoo climates and Arctic conditions.
Polar bear welfare in zoos remains controversial due to the fundamental mismatch between the species natural lifestyle and what captive environments can provide. Even well-resourced modern enclosures fall far short of the ranging needs of wild polar bears. Stereotypic behaviors persist even in enriched environments, indicating residual welfare compromise. Some welfare advocates argue that polar bears should not be kept in zoos given the severity of this mismatch. Institutions that do house polar bears have a responsibility to provide maximum space, complex pool environments, and intensive enrichment programs.