Farewell Knut
I am so very shocked and saddened by the sudden death of polar bear Knut at the Berlin Zoo. Knut was only four-years-old but had acquired superstardom of epic proportions. As a polar bear lover and activist, I had followed his story since his birth in December 2006. He was a tiny cub born in the zoo, rejected by his mother and lovingly raised by hand by zookeeper Thomas Dörflein. This charming, playful ball of white, fluffy fur quickly won the affection and attention of the world and began to draw awareness to this magnificent species and their plight as they struggle for existence in a world where global warming is destroying their natural habitat.
I visited Berlin in July 2007, on a very meaningful journey to see the city where my father was from. I was just as excited to visit the zoo and see the famous cub I had read so much about. I went in the early morning and stood for hours outside Knut’s pen, catching glimpses of him peeking in and out of his den, splashing around in the water and enjoying the attention of the crowd around him. I even saw Thomas riding a bicycle around the zoo, though at that point, he had been ordered to discontinue playtime with Knut so Berlin’s furriest new star could get used to life with other polar bears rather than humans.
I have been following Knut’s story since, and was also saddened at Thomas’ sudden death of a heart attack in 2008. Knut’s life seemed cursed with tragedy. There were reports of a failed attempt to partner him with a mate, a possible relocation to another zoo, and bullying from the three female bears he recently lived with. Life was not easy for Knut, and was far from normal. Only the autopsy with tell if there was any link of this to his death, but there is always speculation.
All I know is I am grieving . My tears will dry but my memory of Knut will live on – as one of my fondest memories of my momentous trip to Berlin, and as sweet little ambassador to polar bears everywhere.
RIP Knut,
K.
