Sloth bears are highly playful and curious animals whose welfare depends on cognitive stimulation and social play opportunities. Well-enriched exhibits show remarkable behavior expression.
Sloth bear play is a welfare indicator of positive emotional state that distinguishes enriched from deprived exhibit conditions. Adult bears that engage in spontaneous play with enrichment objects are expressing behavioral flexibility and positive motivation. Providing rotatable novel enrichment that maintains the novelty needed to sustain play engagement is essential for ongoing welfare quality.