Bears in zoos require extensive space, foraging challenges, and den access to maintain good welfare. Stereotypic pacing in zoo bears has historically been a visible indicator of welfare deficits.
Bears have historically been among the most visibly welfare-compromised zoo animals, with stereotypic pacing a public symbol of inadequate captive conditions. The dramatic improvement seen in modern naturalistic exhibits demonstrates that zoo design has a profound effect on bear welfare outcomes. However, not all zoo bears live in modern exhibits; many older facilities still house bears in barren concrete environments where stereotypies persist. The fundamental challenge of providing conditions adequate for highly active, cognitively complex animals with vast natural range requirements cannot be fully solved by exhibit design alone. The debate about whether large-ranging animals can have genuinely good welfare in zoo settings continues, and transparency about welfare outcomes is essential for zoo accountability.