The fate of this charming white bear has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. His sad story has long been discussed in the media. Today we want to return to her again and tell how difficult his life was.
Long awaited event
For the first time in thirty years, on December 5, 2006, two white twin cubs were born in a zoo in Berlin. The Bear Tosca did not feed them and left the newborn babies. One cub died four days after birth, and Knut (the so-called second teddy bear was named) according to the rules in force at the zoo should certainly be euthanized. However, the baby was taken under guardianship by a person with a good heart - an employee of the zoo Thomas Dorflein.
Surprisingly, animal rights advocates were extremely dissatisfied with his dedication, they began to demand that the bear cub stop communicating with people. They were not stopped by the thought that this was likely to lead to tragedy, and the bear Knut would die. Their motivation was just as simple, just as stupid - since the bear mother left her cub, therefore, something was wrong with him, and therefore his logical death should be the result of natural selection, and the people who save him will violate this process.
The fight for the life of the teddy bear
Numerous mass media have joined the difficult situation. Thanks to their publications, the polar bear Knut began to attract increased attention of guests and bring considerable financial profit to the zoo. After the quotation of one of the animal rights activists by the German tabloid Bild was published, fans of this animal around the world came together to support those who decided to save the baby. From this moment, the bear Knut and his friends began a real struggle for survival. The protests were attended by children and elderly people, students and workers. Knut's friends from all over the world sent millions of letters, supporting everyone who was going to care for the baby.
Whipmania
Knut became the cause of the emergence of a certain phenomenon - a new pop culture, which was called "Knutomania." Around the world, media products, books and DVDs featuring the image of a universal favorite were produced. Teddy bear has become the main source of income for the zoo. In 2007 alone, it amounted to 5 million euros. Annual visits to the zoo increased by 30%.
Public appearance
Residents of the German capital were looking forward to seeing Knut, which became a real symbol of the city. It was first introduced on March 23, 2007. Quite quickly, the Knut bear became a "world star."
The Knut Show became incredibly popular, where the teddy bear played with his “guardian,” Thomas Durfline, who, unfortunately, is no longer alive. In the zoo and far beyond its borders, white cubs and various souvenirs depicting a popular baby became the most popular toys.
Statistics say that more than half of the boys born in 2007 in Berlin received the name Knut.
Name use
Good must return sooner or later. Thanks to the rescued teddy bear, the income of the zoo has increased significantly. In addition to the fact that the number of its visitors has increased several times, the management of the institution managed to register the name of the teddy bear as a trademark. This allowed us to sell goods with his pretty face - notebooks, T-shirts, soft toys and mugs, which were in high demand.
Even for the world-famous Greenpeace organization, the Knut bear has become an effective weapon used in the environmental program.
Is it worth reproaching people for the fact that sometimes fleeting sentimentality gives way to mercantile interests? Each year, the Knut bear brought more than 5 million euros to the zoo fund. As you know, this significantly increased the value of the institution’s shares on the Berlin stock exchange. The image of the animal periodically appeared on the covers of Vanity Fair magazine in the company of Hollywood stars, as well as on the famous logo of the Ministry of the Environment. The euphoria did not last long: in 2008, Knut lost his only friend - Thomas Dorflein died of a heart attack. The kid was orphaned again, and this time for real.
The rejection of the "brothers"
To console Knut, they decided to move him to the aviary to the polar bears. Among them were his biological parents Tosca and Lars.
As it turned out later, the “relatives” poisoned the friendly and affectionate teddy bear, jealous of people, and he often became the victim of bullying by the “family”. The zoo workers did not notice the change in Knut's behavior and mood on time, as they were concerned about the appearance of new offspring.
In captivity, these white giants live up to forty years, but fate did not prepare such a gift for Knut. He became a monument to a terrible human disease - carelessness.
Sudden death
As soon as Knut was four years old, a tragedy happened to him, which surrendered to the pain in millions of human hearts around the world. On March 19, 2011, in his aviary, Knut suddenly lost consciousness and died.
Witnesses to the tragedy reported that at first his left paw began to shake. Knut began to walk in a circle, and then fell into the pool. They could not immediately determine the cause of death, the press service of the zoo announced that an autopsy would be performed.
Another source, The Local, according to consultations with experts, calls the cause of the bear’s death a previously undetected violation of the brain. Focus Magazine considered Knut drowned after an epileptic seizure.
Knut Bear - Cause of Death
After opening the body of the animal, the veterinarians called another cause of death - encephalitis, which developed against a background of an unknown infection.
At the same time, animal defenders claim that pathologists are cunning, and the famous bear was “helped a little” to go to the world with other severe stress and unsatisfactory content in the aviary.
At the same time, these statements do not have documentary evidence, and therefore cannot be considered official.
Monument at the zoo
Undoubtedly, the bear Knut and Thomas - his most faithful and disinterested friend - glorified the zoo, in which this animal was destined to be born and die.
About 700 visitors witnessed the tragedy. October 24, 2012 at the Berlin Zoo again remembered what was the favorite of millions - the bear Knut. A monument to this cute kid was opened at the zoo. Its author is the sculptor Joseph Tabachnik. The song was called "The Whip Dreamer." The opening ceremony brought together more than 300 people.
Immediately after the death of an animal, someone had the idea to make a stuffed animal out of him and put it in a museum. This idea provoked a stormy protest from the Berliners, but, nevertheless, the idea was put into practice.
Worked on the scarecrow for more than two years. Knut's fur is glued to the body of artificial material. The eyes are made of glass and have a brown tint. Now it is an exhibit of the Berlin Museum.