Amur tigers are the world largest cat subspecies, with zoo populations playing a critical role as the wild population slowly recovers.
Amur tiger welfare in captivity benefits from their cold adaptation since facilities in temperate climates can provide outdoor access throughout the year. Their large wild territory size means no zoo enclosure approaches what they would occupy naturally, making enrichment substitution for ranging behavior particularly important. Feeding enrichment using whole prey items, scent trails, and varied feeding locations satisfies hunting motivation and provides physical and cognitive stimulation. Social management is complex since adult tigers are solitary and potentially dangerous to each other, requiring careful introduction for breeding and immediate separation when aggression occurs. The genetic management of the global captive population through coordinated breeding programs requires transfers between facilities that cause stress through transport and novel environment adaptation. The conservation success of Amur tigers demonstrates that zoo populations can serve meaningful conservation functions while welfare-conscious facilities maintain acceptable individual welfare.