Polar bears face extreme welfare challenges in captivity due to their vast natural range and complex behavioral needs. Modern welfare standards require large complex environments and extensive enrichment.
Polar bear welfare in captivity is among the most contested topics in zoo welfare ethics. High rates of stereotypic behavior despite enrichment programs suggest that current best-practice captive environments may be fundamentally inadequate for this wide-ranging carnivore. The welfare debate around polar bears informs broader discussions about which species should and should not be held in captivity.