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Environmental Parameters as Indicators of Bear Welfare
Anna Fourage1, Chris R Shepherd2,3, K A I Nekaris4
1Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
Zoo Biology
|July 14, 2025
Summary
Many bears in Thai zoos live in poor conditions, with exhibits lacking basic standards for size, vegetation, and enrichment. Accredited zoos provide better bear welfare conditions than private or government facilities.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Animal Welfare Science
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Bears are frequently exhibited in zoos globally, yet historical and current poor housing conditions persist, even in inhumane bear pits.
- Developing countries often lack comprehensive welfare assessments and regulatory enforcement for captive wildlife, with many zoos not affiliated with associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the conditions of bear exhibits in Thailand, focusing on environmental parameters as indicators of potential welfare.
- To assess whether zoos in Thailand are providing appropriate enclosures for bears, given the country's weak regulations on captive wildlife.
Main Methods:
- A simple assessment of front-of-house conditions was developed using environmental parameters.
- Seventy-seven bears of four species across 37 exhibits in 17 Thai zoos (6 accredited, 6 government, 5 private) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Over half of the bears in Thai zoos experience poor welfare, with exhibits failing to meet basic standards.
- 49% of exhibits were undersized, 54% lacked vegetation, and 62% had no enrichment.
- Accredited zoos demonstrated significantly better exhibit conditions compared to government and private zoos.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a widespread issue of inadequate bear welfare in Thai zoos, necessitating urgent improvements.
- There is a critical need for implementing zoo standards and strengthening regulatory measures and enforcement for captive wildlife care in Thailand.
