Different bear species have distinct welfare requirements that must be recognized in zoo management, with the needs of polar bears, brown bears, and sun bears varying significantly.
Bear welfare is not a single category but a species-specific challenge that requires understanding each species' evolutionary history and behavioral ecology. A management approach excellent for brown bears may be inadequate for sun bears that need to climb extensively throughout the day. Polar bears present the most intractable welfare challenge - their hunting lifestyle on sea ice is so foreign to any terrestrial zoo exhibit that even the best facilities can only partially meet their needs. This has driven some accreditation bodies to question whether polar bears should be exhibited at all, or only in facilities that can demonstrate exceptional welfare outcomes. Species-specific welfare assessment rather than generic bear management represents current best practice.