Zoo

Zoo Polar Bear Thermal Welfare and Climate Adaptation

Polar bears face significant thermal welfare challenges in temperate zoos, with rising temperatures exacerbating already marginal conditions.

Key Facts

Polar bears are adapted to Arctic temperatures and have high metabolic rates in warm conditions
Thermal panting and inactivity in summer indicate heat stress in zoo polar bears
Access to cool water, ice, and shade are essential welfare provisions in temperate climates
Several zoos have transitioned polar bears to facilities with better thermal management

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is worsening thermal welfare for polar bears in zoos. Facilities built decades ago without adequate cooling are becoming increasingly unsuitable. The ethical case for polar bear keeping must be reassessed against worsening welfare conditions.

What You Can Do

Advocate for zoo thermal welfare standards that address climate change impacts
Support arctic wildlife conservation organisations protecting wild polar bear habitat
Engage with debates about which species can be kept ethically in a warming world