Wolverines are wide-ranging, solitary predators that present significant welfare challenges in zoo settings due to their enormous natural home ranges and aggressive nature.
Wolverine welfare in zoos must contend with the fundamental mismatch between this species vast natural home range and what any captive facility can provide. Stereotypic pacing is common in zoo wolverines as a manifestation of thwarted ranging motivation. Enrichment strategies that simulate foraging challenges, provide varied substrates for digging, and allow expression of caching behavior address some but not all of their complex needs. Climate-appropriate housing is essential, with heat stress a serious concern in warmer zoo locations. Some welfare advocates question whether wolverines should be held in zoos given the severity of the welfare compromise.