Science and Research at the Oregon Zoo

Polar Bear Stereotypy, Stress & Temperament Study
by Norie Dimeo-Ediger and David Shepherdson, Ph.D., Oregon Zoo

A great deal of progress has been made in enhancing the physiological and psychological well-being of animals in zoos. Thoughtful planning in architecture and landscaping of enclosures has led to the creation of more naturalistic environments for zoo animals. Added to this are modern programs for creating more social and environmental stimulation to fully enrich the lives of the animals while increasing the aesthetic and educational experience of the zoo visitor. As a consequence of this progress, abnormal behaviors such as stereotypical behavior are now the exception rather than the rule in today's zoos.

However, one species, the polar bear is notorious for the tendency to exhibit stereotypical behaviors (e.g. pacing) in captivity and it is a high priority for polar bear holding institutions to understand this phenomenon and to find ways to address the underlying causes. POLAR BEARS ALIVE, a non-profit group dedicated to the conservation of bears in the wild and their welfare in captivity, has awarded the Oregon Zoo $45,000 to study the factors related to stereotypical behavior in captive polar bears. Thirty-nine bears from 12 institutions, including three from the Oregon Zoo, will be monitored for the twelve-month study and their behavior correlated to measures of stress, reproduction, temperament, and environmental factors.

This project will increase our understanding of the relationship between stereotypical behavior and the well-being of captive polar bears. The study will identify variables, both internal (psychological and physiological factors unique to each individual), and external (exhibit design, husbandry, social composition, developmental history, etc.) that predispose polar bears to display stereotypic behavior in captivity. Through scientific publications and presentations to both the AZA Behavior and Husbandry Advisory Group and the Ursid TAG, this information will be used to make future recommendations for improvements in husbandry, management and exhibit design for polar bears. The results of this study will provide guidelines for improved welfare for polar bears in captivity, and support a more valuable visitor experience in which interpretive messages, such as those concerned with the fragility of the arctic marine environment, can be more effectively communicated. This study will also serve as a model for similar investigations of other bear species and, ultimately, other taxa, resulting in continued improvements in the standard of care given to zoo animals.

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