Tigers have large natural home ranges and complex behavioral needs that are challenging to meet in captivity. Modern zoo tiger management focuses on naturalistic environments and behavioral enrichment.
Meeting the welfare needs of large, solitary predators in zoo settings presents significant challenges. Insufficient space, lack of behavioral complexity, and absence of hunting opportunities lead to stereotypic behaviors and signs of chronic stress. Best practice tiger management includes large naturalistic enclosures with varied terrain, regular behavioral enrichment using scents, food puzzles, and novel objects, training programs that allow voluntary participation in health care, and management that respects the tiger's need for control and predictability. The conservation role of zoo tigers in preservation of critically endangered subspecies adds importance to getting their welfare right.