Polar bears in zoological collections face unique welfare challenges arising from their specialised biology, large natural range, and the thermal stress of warmer climates.
Polar bears represent one of the most difficult species to maintain with good welfare in captivity. Their evolved biology for vast Arctic ranges, sea ice hunting and prolonged aquatic travel cannot be meaningfully replicated in zoo enclosures. The high prevalence of stereotypies in captive polar bears is a stark indicator of chronic psychological suffering. Thermal stress in warmer climates adds physiological burden to the psychological. Several major zoos have concluded they cannot meet polar bear welfare needs and have responsibly chosen not to keep them. The welfare case for maintaining polar bears in zoo collections, particularly for conservation value given poor captive breeding success, requires serious ongoing scrutiny.