Zoos

Zoo Polar Bear Thermal Welfare in Warming Climates

Polar bears in zoos face increasing thermal stress as temperatures rise. Managing thermal welfare is an increasingly critical challenge for zoos.

Key Facts

Wild polar bears are adapted to Arctic temperatures and have high metabolic heat generation
Captive polar bears show elevated stress hormones in warm weather
Pool access is essential for thermoregulation in summer
Shade, misting systems, and cold substrate provide passive cooling
Reproductive success and infant survival are lower in warm climates

Welfare Considerations

Polar bears in warm climates experience chronic thermal stress during summer months. Heat stress affects both physical and psychological welfare, reducing activity, increasing aggression, and compromising reproduction. The ethical question of maintaining polar bears in climates very different from their evolutionary environment deserves serious consideration by zoos.

What You Can Do

Support zoos with state-of-the-art cooling facilities for polar bears
Advocate for climate-appropriate species selection in zoo planning
Donate to wild polar bear conservation addressing the root cause of their decline