Wolverines in zoos require careful management of their vast territory needs and cold-climate adaptations. Space and environmental complexity are the primary welfare challenges.
Wolverine welfare in captivity is fundamentally limited by space and temperature requirements that push the boundaries of what zoos can realistically provide. Creative management including cooled exhibit spaces, food caching opportunities, and maximum exhibit complexity compensates partially for space limitations. Honest welfare assessment should acknowledge these constraints rather than obscuring them.