Sun bears are frequently under-resourced in zoo settings, with their complex behavioral needs for climbing, foraging, and thermoregulation often inadequately met.
Sun bear captive welfare is chronically undersupported relative to charismatic larger bear species. Their behavioral repertoire is rich and forest-adapted: foraging in logs and bark for insects, climbing trees to reach fruit and honey, thermoregulating in tree platforms, and ranging over large forest areas. Zoo enclosures that provide ground-level grassy areas without climbing structures, complex substrates, or varied foraging opportunities produce bears that engage in stereotypic behaviors and show signs of chronic boredom. Enrichment programs using log hives with honey, buried insects, varied fruit presentation, and complex climbing structures dramatically increase behavioral diversity. Sun bear welfare is also a conservation issue: better-managed captive ambassadors generate more support for wild sun bear protection.