Bears are large, wide-ranging omnivores with complex behavioural needs that present significant challenges in zoo settings. Modern bear exhibits aim to accommodate natural foraging, denning, and thermoregulatory behaviours.
Bear welfare in zoos has improved substantially over recent decades as understanding of their behavioural complexity has grown. The shift from concrete enclosures with minimal enrichment to naturalistic exhibits with varied terrain, water features, and complex foraging opportunities has dramatically reduced stereotypic behaviours. However, space constraints remain a fundamental limitation: even large zoo exhibits cannot replicate the ranging behaviour of wild bears. Compensating for this requires high-quality environmental complexity and daily enrichment variety. Feeding enrichment - scatter feeding, puzzle feeders, buried food, and frozen food blocks - engages natural foraging behaviour for extended periods. Social housing must be carefully managed: some species and individuals require separation, while others benefit from companionship. Veterinary care including dental health and weight monitoring requires trained cooperative behaviours.