Editing Brown bear (section)

=== In captivity ===
[[File:180 bear at Canton Zoo.jpg|thumb|Brown bear at [[Canton Zoo]], US|right]]

Bears have been recorded in [[captivity]] as early as 1,500 [[Before Christ|BC]].<ref name=":4" /> As of 2017, there are more than 700 brown bears in [[zoo]]s and [[Safari park|wildlife parks]] worldwide. Captive bears are largely lethargic and spend a considerable amount of time doing nothing. When active, captive bears may engage in repetitive back and forth motion, known widely as pacing. This behavior is most prevalent in bears kept in small, cramped cages often with no natural setting. Pacing is a way of coping with stress that comes with being trapped in unnaturally small spaces.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pastorino |first1=Giovanni Quintavalle |last2=Christodoulides |first2=Yiannis |last3=Curone |first3=Giulio |last4=Pearce-Kelly |first4=Paul |last5=Faustini |first5=Massimo |last6=Albertini |first6=Mariangela |last7=Preziosi |first7=Richard |last8=Mazzola |first8=Silvia Michela |date=May 2017 |title=Behavioural Profiles of Brown and Sloth Bears in Captivity |journal=Animals |language=en |volume=7 |issue=5 |page=39 |doi=10.3390/ani7050039 |doi-access=free |pmid=28505095 |pmc=5447921 |issn=2076-2615}}</ref> These [[Stereotypical behavior|stereotyped behavior]]s have decreased due to better and larger enclosures being built, and more sustainable management from zoo staff.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Montaudouin |first1=S. |last2=Pape |first2=G. Le |date=2005-07-01 |title=Comparison between 28 zoological parks: stereotypic and social behaviours of captive brown bears (Ursus arctos) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159104002722 |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=92 |issue=1 |pages=129–141 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2004.10.015 |issn=0168-1591}}</ref>

Starting from infancy, brown bears may also be exploited as [[Tame bear|dancing bears]]. Cubs, for example, are positioned on hot metal plates, causing them to "dance" to the sound of [[violin]] music running in the background. The process is repeated, resulting in bears being trained to "dance" when a violin is played. Similarly, brown bears are displayed in tiny enclosures near a restaurant, mainly for the purpose of luring customers. Privately owned bears are also placed in insufficient environments and often suffer from [[malnutrition]] and [[obesity]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stagni |first1=Elena |last2=Sequeira |first2=Sara |last3=Brscic |first3=Marta |last4=Redtenbacher |first4=Irene |last5=Hartmann |first5=Sabine |date=2023-12-13 |title=A retrospective study on the prevalence of main clinical findings in brown bears (Ursus arctos) rescued from substandard husbandry conditions |journal=Frontiers in Veterinary Science |volume=10 |page=1299029 |doi=10.3389/fvets.2023.1299029 |doi-access=free |issn=2297-1769 |pmid=38192718|pmc=10773888 }}</ref> 

[[File:Berenleider - Animal trainer with performing bear (3280639349).jpg|thumb|Animal trainer with a bear|left]]

Brown bears have been popular attractions at [[circus]]es and other acts since ancient times. Due to their large size and imposing demeanor, the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] used brown bears in the execution of criminals, and pitted bears in fights with other animals. [[Gladiator]]s would also fight bears, in what was essentially a fight to the death. Such events occurred in [[amphitheater]]s housing thousands of spectators. In later times, street performances became popular in the [[Middle Ages]]; acts included "dancing" and "sleeping on command". These performances became increasingly widespread, and from the 1700s to 1800s, traveling circuses would perform in the streets of many European and Asian countries. Such circuses made use of bears that wore special clothing, and were usually run by [[musician]]s. A short while later, modern circuses began utilizing bears around the second half of the 18th century. Brown bears were said to be the easiest bear species to train due to their intelligence, unique personalities, and exceptional stability.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Gary |url=http://archive.org/details/greatbearalmanac0000brow |title=The great bear almanac |date=1993 |publisher=New York : Lyons & Burford |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-55821-210-7 |pages=212–221}}</ref> According to a 2009 analysis, the brown bear was the second most exploited circus animal after the tiger.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Iossa |first1=G. |last2=Soulsbury |first2=C. D. |last3=Harris |first3=S. |date=May 2009 |title=Are wild animals suited to a travelling circus life? |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/abs/are-wild-animals-suited-to-a-travelling-circus-life/C76563EC6154E70AF3DB8A33832349C3 |journal=Animal Welfare |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=129–140 |doi=10.1017/S0962728600000270 |s2cid=32259865 |issn=0962-7286}}</ref>