Zoo Animals

Zoo Polar Bear Welfare in Warmer Climates

Polar bears are adapted to Arctic conditions and face significant welfare challenges in zoo environments at warmer latitudes.

Key Facts

Wild polar bears range over thousands of square kilometres of sea ice
They are hypercarnivores adapted to seal prey unavailable in zoo settings
Polar bears in warm-climate zoos require extensive air conditioning and cold water provision
Stereotypic pacing is highly prevalent in polar bears in inadequate enclosures
Several zoos have repatriated polar bears to Arctic-zone facilities on welfare grounds

Welfare Considerations

Polar bear welfare in most zoo environments is fundamentally compromised by the impossibility of replicating Arctic conditions and prey variety. The welfare case for displaying polar bears in non-Arctic zoos is increasingly difficult to sustain given what we know about their needs.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for polar bear exhibition only in appropriate climate-zone facilities
Advocate for retirement of polar bears from warm-climate zoos to sanctuary
Learn about polar bear ecology to evaluate zoo welfare claims
Support wild polar bear conservation rather than captive exhibition