The spectacled bear is South America's only native bear species and the continent's largest land carnivore. Its welfare is threatened by habitat loss, conflict with farmers, and the illegal wildlife trade.
Wild spectacled bear welfare is threatened primarily through human-wildlife conflict. Bears killed in retaliation for livestock predation face violent deaths through shooting or poisoning. Cubs orphaned when their mothers are killed face acute starvation and exposure if not rescued. Those that enter the illegal pet trade - often kept in deplorable conditions by individuals who cannot provide for their needs - face welfare conditions catastrophically inappropriate for a large, solitary bear. Captured bears show severe psychological distress including stereotypic pacing and self-directed behaviors. Spectacled bears in inadequate zoo conditions show similar welfare problems to other large carnivores held in insufficient space and social isolation.