Are polar bears happy in zoos?

Answer 1

It really depends on the zoo. For example if a polar bear is in a large exhibit with large pools, streams, rocks, grass, etc and gets daily enrichment chances are that it is a very happy bear.

However if a polar bear is in an old concrete and steel cage with a small dirty pool with little to no enrichment... probably not a very happy bear.

Its kinda like asking are zoos a good thing. There really is no one answer for the question because zoos can be so different. There can be large zoos with lush open exhibits for the animals and employees that spend their time educating the public and helping with conservation efforts around the world. Or you can have some road size crap hole where the zoos does not give a crap about the animals and leaves them in filth while they count their money.

Overall, polar bears are no different than any other animal. As long as the exhibit is done well and the animal is well cared for (diet, enrichment, health) then there really is no problem.

Answer 2

Happy? I don't know how to define happiness for a polar bear. They often live longer in captivity than they do in the wild:

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ursus_maritimus.html

Then again, they can die untimely deaths in captivity:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/219498.html

And they can become neurotic:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1802621,00.html

But global warming could see the end of the polar bears if they aren't bred in captivity.

It's a dilemma.

I'd say that probably polar bears are happy enough in captivity, since they survive and breed and eat and, in the nice new zoos, have very fine living spaces. And what we learn from captive bears could help the wild ones. However...is captivity EVER better or as good as a life as nature intended?

Dilemmas are never yes or no--

Answer 3

I don't think that they are unhappy, since that is the life that they know from living in captivity, and have known ever since they were brought there from the arctic areas. While it may not be as free as the wilderness, they are given food and shelter.

So, I don't think that they live an unhappy life, although it may not be as free as it could be...they wouldn't even know the difference

Answer 4

I dunno...i haven't ever talked to a polar bear...they might as well be because the arctic is melting

Answer 5

A lot of them show ritualized abnormal behaviors, so, although this may not be the case for all of them, I think generally the answer is no.

Answer 6

would you like to be locked up in a cage?