Bears are wide-ranging omnivores that fare poorly in small, barren zoo enclosures. Modern welfare-focused bear habitats require large naturalistic spaces with behavioral complexity.
Bear welfare in traditional zoo settings has been deeply compromised by inadequate space and environmental complexity. The stereotypic pacing seen in many zoo bears is one of the clearest and most visible indicators of chronic psychological distress in captive animals. Bears are intelligent, wide-ranging omnivores for whom barren concrete environments represent fundamental deprivation. Modern approaches include naturalistic large enclosures with water features, varied terrain, and enrichment that requires problem-solving. Food enrichment that mimics foraging — buried food, puzzle feeders, frozen treats — addresses the motivational deficit of captive bears most directly. Transitioning older bears from traditional to naturalistic housing shows rapid behavioral improvement when done correctly.