Tigers require significant space and environmental complexity to maintain physical and psychological welfare in captivity, with enrichment being central to preventing stereotypic behavior.
Tiger welfare in captivity depends on providing sufficient space, complexity, and enrichment to allow expression of natural behavior in an animal built for vast territories and active predatory behavior. A tiger pacing repetitively in a small enclosure is demonstrating that its behavioral needs are not being met - this is distress manifested as stereotypy. Modern well-designed tiger facilities with varied substrate, water features, elevated resting areas, regular olfactory and feeding enrichment, and appropriate social management can substantially improve welfare outcomes. The standard for tiger welfare continues to improve as accreditation requirements evolve, but older facilities and unaccredited zoos frequently fail to meet it.