Carnivore welfare in zoos requires space that allows territorial behaviour, denning, and natural movement patterns - minimum space standards are increasingly evidence-based.
Carnivore space welfare in zoos is a fundamental challenge - large predators with vast natural ranges can never be provided with sufficient space in captivity. The welfare question becomes: what minimum conditions allow acceptable wellbeing given this inherent constraint? Evidence shows that above a threshold, enclosure complexity and enrichment matter more than raw size. Access to substrate variety, hiding areas, elevated vantage points, and separation from constant public view reduces stress. The animal welfare case for keeping wide-ranging carnivores in zoos must be continuously re-evaluated against conservation and education benefits.