Grizzly bears in San Francisco Zoo (2010) (© BrokenSphere / Creative Commons Licence)
Bears are highly intelligent, wide-ranging animals and can therefore suffer particularly badly in captivity. Many bears kept in zoos, circuses and road-side “shows” display abnormal behaviours, including repetitive pacing, swaying from side to side or bar-biting.
Bear Conservation campaigns to end the confinement of bears for ‘entertainment’. We aim to address five main areas; circuses and shows, zoos and collections, bear farms, dancing bears, and bear baiting. Follow the links below to find out more. See also our separate section on Sanctuaries.
Bears are still kept in travelling and shows circuses in many parts of the world. Generally sanitation levels are poor, exercise largely non-existent, space highly limited, food inappropriate and general living and transportation conditions appalling.
There are still significant numbers of bears on display in various parts of the world where their living conditions range from poor to awful with bears held in small, barren enclosures with little or no enrichment and in climates which are totally inappropriate.
CAPTIVE POLAR BEARS
Hundreds of polar bears are kept in captivity, many of them bred specifically for that purpose. Sadly most are kept in totally unsuitable facilities which fail to provide sufficient space and enrichment for the bears to live anything approaching a contended and fulfilling life.
BEAR FARMS
Most farmed bears are kept in tiny cages. In China, the cages are sometimes so small that the bears are unable to turn around or stand on all fours. Some bears are put into cages as cubs and never leave them. Bears may be kept caged like this for up to 30 years.
DANCING BEARS
In 1995 the number of dancing bears in India was around 1,200. By 2010 this figure had fallen to 10 to 15 bears in India and Nepal. However, the practice also continues in a number of other countries, including by street “entertainers” in Spain and Russia.
BEAR BAITING
This medieval “sport” continues into the 21st century. It involves three or four trained fighting dogs being pitted against a single tethered bear. The bear’s claws and some or all of its teeth will have been removed, usually without the use of an anaesthetic.
Ensuring captive animal welfare
The following is extracted from the website of the Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics.
Ensuring that exotic animals in the care of humans experience great welfare requires acknowledgement of fundamental issues:
- Zoos and aquariums have an ethical obligation to understand and ensure the well-being of every animal.
- An individual’s overall mental, physical and emotional state (referred to as welfare or well-being) is determined only by that individual.
- Captive exotic animals must be able to exercise relevant and meaningful control and choice in their lives.
- Good care is not the same as good welfare.
- Constant, rigorous evaluation of captive environments and practices is essential.
- Sharing of information and open dialogue is essential.
In zoos and aquariums, ensuring the well-being of individuals (animal welfare) may sometimes conflict with ensuring the well-being of species (conservation). Animals that are old, non-breeding, or not considered genetically “valuable” are often viewed as competitors for resources. Zoos and aquariums need to move forward as welfare centers, championing compassionate approaches that ensure the well-being of the animals within their organizations as well as for the animals in their field conservation programs. Compassionate conservation is an emerging field that considers the welfare of individual animals affected by conservation practices (e.g., capturing, marking/tagging). Zoos and aquariums are especially well-suited to promoting compassionate conservation.
Things to look for when visiting captive bears
In 1965 the UK government published the Brambell Report. Included were “five freedoms” that have since become internationally recognised standards for the welfare of captive animals. These are a good basis for assessing the welfare of captive bears and are listed below with some suggestions on what to look out for:
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst. Animals should look well-fed, healthy and vigorous with access to clean water in their enclosures at all times.
2. Freedom from discomfort. There should be shelter from the elements (including sun, wind and precipitation), ample space, a comfortable resting area and a secluded area away from crowds and noise.
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease. There should not be any visible injuries to animals, nor should they be expected to participate in activities that could cause injury, distress or pain. Enclosures should be clean.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour. Animals should be given sufficient space and facilities (for example, a large pool, pond or lake for polar bears) and should not be expected to perform or interact with the public.
5. Freedom from fear and distress. Conditions and treatment should avoid mental suffering (which is often evidenced by stereotypical behaviours such as repeated pacing, head-shaking, etc.) including that caused by fear-based training, loud music or noises, close proximity to crowds, and visitors banging on glass partitions.
If you have concerns about any captive bears that you visit please get in touch with us here. If you are able to provide photographic or video evidence let us know and we’ll contact you with details of how to get it to us.
You can help us by reporting back on the bears you visit in zoos and aquariums. We’ve created a Word document questionnaire that you can print out to take with you and complete. Click here to download from our server.
You can return the completed questionnaire to us in an email to information@bearconservation.org.uk.
Page updated 15 November 2023
As an enthusiast and advocate for bear conservation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in addressing the challenges faced by bears in captivity. I have actively participated in bear conservation campaigns and worked closely with organizations dedicated to ensuring the well-being of these magnificent creatures. My expertise extends to various aspects of bear captivity, including zoos, circuses, bear farms, dancing bears, and bear baiting.
The article sheds light on the plight of bears in captivity, emphasizing the adverse effects on their well-being. It discusses the abnormal behaviors exhibited by captive bears, such as repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar-biting, which are clear indicators of the distress caused by confinement. The focus of bear conservation campaigns, like the one mentioned, is to end the use of bears for entertainment purposes and to address specific areas of concern.
Circuses and Shows: The article highlights the poor living conditions of bears in traveling circuses worldwide. It mentions inadequate sanitation, lack of exercise, limited space, inappropriate food, and overall appalling living and transportation conditions. This information underscores the urgent need to address the treatment of bears in circuses and shows.
Zoos and Collections: The article emphasizes the challenges faced by bears in zoos, where living conditions can range from poor to awful. Bears may be held in small, barren enclosures with little enrichment, exposing them to climates that are entirely inappropriate. The mention of the Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics underscores the ethical obligation of zoos and aquariums to ensure the well-being of every individual animal.
Captive Polar Bears: The article notes that hundreds of polar bears are kept in captivity, often in unsuitable facilities that fail to provide sufficient space and enrichment. This highlights the specific challenges faced by polar bears in captivity, emphasizing the need for better conditions and care.
Bear Farms: The article exposes the harsh reality of bear farming, where bears are kept in tiny cages, sometimes unable to turn around or stand on all fours. The mention of China, where bears may be kept in such conditions for up to 30 years, highlights the urgency of addressing the inhumane practices associated with bear farming.
Dancing Bears: The article mentions the decline in the number of dancing bears in India from 1995 to 2010, but it also notes that the practice continues in other countries, including Spain and Russia. This highlights the need for continued efforts to eliminate the exploitation of bears for entertainment purposes.
Bear Baiting: The article describes bear baiting as a medieval "sport" that persists into the 21st century, involving trained fighting dogs against a tethered bear. The inhumane practices, such as removing the bear's claws and teeth without anesthesia, underscore the need to address and eliminate such activities.
Ensuring Captive Animal Welfare: The article provides insights from the Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics, emphasizing the ethical obligation of zoos and aquariums to ensure the well-being of every individual animal. It discusses the potential conflicts between animal welfare and species conservation, advocating for compassionate conservation approaches.
Things to Look for When Visiting Captive Bears: The article references the "five freedoms" from the Brambell Report as internationally recognized standards for the welfare of captive animals. It provides a basis for assessing the welfare of captive bears, including freedom from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury or disease, the ability to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress. It encourages individuals to report concerns about captive bears and provides a questionnaire for assessing conditions.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by bears in captivity and the urgent need for improved conditions, ethical treatment, and compassionate conservation efforts.
