Bears are among the most stereotypy-prone animals in captivity, and improving bear welfare in zoos requires understanding and addressing the root causes of these repetitive behaviors.
Bear welfare in zoos has improved dramatically in institutions that have transitioned from concrete grottos to naturalistic, complex habitats with enrichment programs. Yet many facilities globally still house bears in conditions that cause chronic behavioral deprivation and the stereotypic behaviors that result from it. The welfare significance of stereotypies is debated — some argue they reduce frustration, others that they indicate persistent negative states. Either way, they signal welfare failure in the environment that produced them. Best practice requires large naturalistic spaces, daily foraging enrichment, digging opportunities, and water features appropriate to species needs.