Managing pain and discomfort: in depth

What we can’t ask, we must observe. For our rescued moon bears, chronic pain often lives in the nuances – in a faltering gait, a lost spark, a subtle shift. In watching the bears our teams piece together their stories of suffering – and step in to restore comfort and dignity.

Why chronic pain is pervasive in sanctuary bears

• In our care, most bears develop some degree of osteoarthritis, affecting multiple joints over time

• Many spent years on rigid surfaces or in confined cages that inhibited healthy movement

• Inadequate early nutrition or trauma complicates joint and muscle health

• Bears now live for decades in sanctuary settings, so degenerative conditions accumulate

Because chronic pain is insidious, its progression demands constant vigilance and adaptation.

The challenge of detection

Unlike acute pain (e.g. a fresh injury), chronic pain is subtle:

• Bears are innately stoic – masking discomfort

• Behaviour alone is rarely sufficient

• Pain expression is individual: history, personality, prior trauma all influence how a bear ‘shows’ suffering

• Assessments must be nonlinear, iterative, multidimensional

We adopt a biopsychosocial model adapted for bears: recognising that physical, emotional and behavioural states interact – and that pain is more than a physical sensation.

Our assessment framework

We don’t just ‘spot pain’ – we map it over time.

• Baseline profiling – establishing each bear’s normal movement, social, mood patterns

• Continuous monitoring – frequent checks post intervention

• Comparative analysis – linking changes to prior data

• Behavioural indicators – aggression, fear, hiding, avoidance, disengagement

• Consultation across teams – caregivers, vets, behaviour managers all feed observations

• Clear intervention boundaries – when pain becomes overwhelming, adjustments are made

• Ethical reflection – are we imposing treatment that causes distress? Is the trade-off worth it?

Treatment strategies: a deep dive

1. Analgesic and medical protocols

• • Multi-modal drug regimens (NSAIDs, joint support, pain modulators)

  • Perioperative analgesia protocols validated in Asiatic black bears BioOne

  • Regular dose adjustments based on response and side effects

2. Physiotherapy & movement support

• • Tailored exercise routines

  • Assisted stretching, guided motion

  • Use of ramps, ramps with gentle incline, anti-slip surfaces

  • Soft bedding and gentler substrate

3. Environmental & behavioural design

• • Enrichment scheduled to encourage safe, mild activity

  • Adjusted access to high-energy activities

  • Den design modifications (e.g., lower beds, gentle slopes)

4. Cooperative care

• Training bears to voluntarily participate in basic procedures

• Minimises stress associated with handling

5. Psychological well-being

• Enrichment with sensory variety

• Social contact (where appropriate)

• Opportunities for choice and control in daily life

Monitoring success & course correction

• We track changes daily, weekly and monthly

• We compare pre- and post-intervention behaviour

• We have clear criteria for when a treatment isn’t working

• If pain becomes unmanageable despite interventions, we make the compassionate decision to alter the approach to prevent suffering.