Research overview: enclosure size, design and the prevalence of pacing in zoo felids

Comparative and within-institution studies have probed which enclosure features predict pacing in captive cats. This overview surveys evidence relating stereotypic pacing to enclosure size, complexity, usable vertical space, hiding availability, substrate, neighbouring animals and visitor exposure. It discusses the recurring finding that quality of space, especially complexity, cover and the ability to avoid stressors, matters more than raw area, and how route-tracing pacing often forms along fence lines and barriers. It also covers the difficulty of disentangling enclosure variables from feeding routine, rearing history and individual temperament. The synthesis aims to summarise design-relevant correlates of pacing that institutions can target, while acknowledging the multi-causal and sometimes persistent nature of the behaviour.