Polar bears are increasingly used as emblems of climate change. Their welfare in captivity is complex, with cognitive capacity and environmental needs making inadequate exhibits particularly harmful.
The welfare evidence for polar bears in inadequate zoo exhibits is among the most damning for any zoo species. Stereotypic pacing covering hundreds of meters daily in predictable patterns indicates severe behavioral need frustration in undersized exhibits. Cognitive enrichment through novel feeding challenges and complex environments can substantially reduce stereotypies but cannot replace space. The contradiction of using polar bears as climate change ambassadors while keeping them in conditions causing obvious suffering has prompted significant exhibit redesign at leading zoos. The welfare case for polar bears requires either appropriate large naturalistic exhibits or retirement to accredited sanctuaries.