Freezing food, hiding food, varying feeding times and introducing rare treats are a few of the tactics zoos employ to enrich the lives of the animals in their care. In the wild, the hunt for food is an ongoing challenge that often occupies the majority of an animal's waking life. read more
While I am sure that the polar bears in question enjoy their frozen fruit, you better believe that the enjoyment of the visitors were also taken into account. This is a line that all zoos must attempt to walk, hopefully erring on the side of their animals' well being (but certainly not all zoos do). read more
b) polar bear treats. In the wild, polar bears eat mainly seals and other mammals. In the summer, they might also eat birds, eggs, and nibble on vegetation. In the zoo, they are given an omnivore diet. They are also given treats, including fruits, peanut butter, and honey. read more
Zoos have resorted to doping neurotic bears with antidepressants in order to try to curb their anxiety. Bears do not need Prozac, fake logs, artificial rocks, or concrete floors. They need what no zoo can possibly provide—wide-open spaces, forests, hills, streams, and, most importantly, freedom. read more