Tigers in accredited zoos play a role in conservation and public education, but their welfare requires substantial space, enrichment, and skilled management.
Tiger welfare in captivity depends critically on enclosure size, complexity, and the quality of behavioural management. Facilities housing tigers in small, barren enclosures cause significant ongoing suffering. The contrast between well-managed tiger exhibits in leading zoos and the conditions in substandard facilities — including roadside zoos and private keeping — is stark. Only facilities committed to genuine welfare can justify the keeping of these magnificent animals.