Polar bears in zoos face significant welfare challenges from the extreme mismatch between their natural Arctic environment and captive conditions. Many European zoos have ended polar bear keeping, while others have improved facilities significantly.
Polar bears in small or barren zoo enclosures show persistent stereotypic pacing that reflects chronic welfare compromise from inability to perform natural ranging, swimming, and hunting behaviour. Well-designed modern facilities with deep pools, large enclosures, and complex feeding enrichment can significantly reduce stereotypic behaviour. The welfare argument for keeping polar bears in captivity rests on educational and conservation messaging value that must be weighed against the documented welfare cost of captivity for this wide-ranging Arctic species.