Polar bears in zoos face significant welfare challenges as animals evolved for Arctic environments kept in temperate facilities. Their welfare and conservation value are both contested.
Polar bear welfare in captivity is one of the most challenging issues in zoo management. Their evolved need for vast Arctic territories, sea ice hunting, and extreme cold creates fundamental mismatches with zoo environments. Stereotypic pacing — repetitive back-and-forth movement — affects many zoo polar bears and is a recognized indicator of inadequate welfare. While enrichment reduces stereotypic behavior, it rarely eliminates it. Some animal welfare scientists have argued that polar bears should not be kept in zoos in temperate climates. Others argue that well-managed facilities with extensive enrichment can meet their needs adequately. This tension between welfare and conservation roles requires honest evaluation by each institution.