Polar bears face extreme welfare challenges in most zoo environments due to the profound mismatch between their Arctic evolutionary adaptations and the thermal, spatial, and behavioral conditions available in captivity.
Polar bear welfare in captivity represents one of the most challenging welfare situations in zoos because the species' ecological specialization — extreme range, cold climate adaptation, marine mammal prey dependence — is nearly impossible to accommodate meaningfully in zoo settings. The stereotypy rates observed in inadequate polar bear facilities are among the highest documented in captive mammals, indicating severe chronic welfare compromise. The welfare-responsible response to this recognition has been differentiated: some leading zoos have invested in substantially improved facilities with large cold pools and thermal management, while others have concluded that their capacity to meet polar bear welfare needs is insufficient and have ended their programs. Both responses can be welfare-positive — a well-funded polar bear exhibit with genuine welfare investment is preferable to an inadequate exhibit, but acknowledging the limits of a facility is also a welfare-respecting choice.