Goodbye Knut
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Goodbye Knut: A Tribute to an Extraordinary Polar Bear
I had just started sculpting polar bears and being aware of them when I saw my first article about Knut being born. As soon as I saw his photos and read his story, I was hooked. Completely. Hopelessly. Joyfully.
I read about him daily. I couldn't get enough and I told everyone I met about him. I was so hooked, I thought that more people might want to know about him too so I started a blog called Polar Bear News. It was my first blog and I had a lot to learn. So, as Knut learned to be a polar bear, I learned how to blog.
Next, I heard about Squidoo and decided to try my hand at it. Are You Polar Bear Aware? was born. I decided to make it about polar bears not just about Knut. It was an instant success and I believe that Knut had a big hand in making it successful. People were starting to notice polar bears thanks to all the press he got and the sympathy his abandonment garnered.
Knut not only nurtured my love affair with polar bears but also instigated my journey with Squidoo, which has become another love of mine.All royalties earned on this lens are automatically donated to Polar Bears International to help save polar bears.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Berlin Zoo. (A favorite of mine.)My Blog has been HACKED and is down temporarily so some photos are not loading on this site.
Contents at a Glance
Knut Made a Lasting Impact on Millions of People
This Little Polar Bear Changed The World
Germany's famous polar bear died today, Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the young age of four. Although Knut's life was short, it was impressive. He made a huge impact on the world. People who didn't know what a polar bear looked like were awed by this little bear's playfulness and curiosity. He also put a face on Climate Change for many people.His fame started shortly after his birth on December 5, 2006 when his mother rejected him and he was to be raised by humans. Knut-the-Cute, as he was fondly called, was pronounced Germany's Global Warming Ambassador. He had his photo on the cover of Vanity Fare with American Actor, Leonardo DeCaprio; had thousands of aticles and YouTube videos about him. He even had death threats, body guards and a custody suit. Visitors came from all over the world to see him in person, helping raise in 2007 alone, over $7.6 million for the Berlin Zoo.
Knut's image was, or is, used to sell products worldwide, selling everything including stuffed bears and sweets.
Yes, this little bear was a star the moment he was born until the day he died. May his memory stand the test of time. I know I'll never forget this little bear for his impact on my life.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Berlin Zoo
The Knut I fell In Love With
Knut's Life
Important Happenings
NOTE: Photo courtesy of Berlin Zoo
- 1December 5, 2006 - Knut and unnamed brother born at the Berlin Zoo to mother, 20 year-old Tosca, and father, Lars. Mother rejects the two cubs leaving them on a rock. Zoo keepers save the two cubs.
- 2Dec. 9, 2006: Brother dies of infection. Knut spends first 44 days in an incubator.
- 32006: Thomas Dörflein becomes Knut's surrogate parent after Knut leaves incubator, handing feed him and living with the young bear.
- 42007: Knut on the cover with Leonardo DeCaprio
- 52007: Knut is announced as Germany's Ambassador for Global Warming by the German minister of the environment.
- 6March 2007: "Animal rights activist, Frank Albrecht, said Knut should have been killed rather than humiliated by being raised "as a domestic pet". He declared that the zoo was violating animal protection legislation by keeping him alive." (Source: Wikipedia) Thousands of people around the world came to Knut's defense.
- 7Apr. 18, 2007: The Berlin Zoo received a death threat against Knut in the form of an anonymous faxed letter which said in German, "Knut is dead! Thursday noon." Police increased their security measures around Knut and the time outlined in the threat letter passed without incidence.
- 8Apr. 9, 2008: Deutsche Post postage stamp hits the world with a photo of polar bear cub, Knut.
- 9Sept. 2008: Dörflein, 44, Knut's surrogate parent, dies from a heart attack.
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102009: A custody lawsuit is filed by Neumunster Zoo claiming Knut's father, Lars, made any offspring their property.
The ruling was that the Berlin Zoo had to pay Neumunster Zoo a total of 430,000 euros (350,000 euros this year, and 40,000 euros per year for the next two years).This equals a little under US$1 million. - 11March 19, 2011: Knut dies unexpectedly.
- 12Dec. 27, 2011: Knut The memorial. A Website holds a vote on designs for a life-size bronze sculpture to be cast in time for first anniversary of Knut's death in German zoo. 42 entries received from Germany and Austria. Voting continues until Jan. 8, 2012. Entries can be seen at Knut Memorial
Vote for Knut Memorial Sculpture
42 Designs for Knut Sculpture
A memorial bronze sculpture will be commissioned of Knut. The photo here is only one of the 42 entries coming from German or Austrian artists. You can vote for your favorite by:1. Either send an email letter to your favorite number in the subject line, enter the text name, address and telephone number.
2. Or choose by card / letter to: COURIER, PO Box 021 283, 10124 Berlin, Password: Knut.
To see all 42 entries, go to Knut Memorial Sculptures
Knut Stamp
Knut Died March 19, 2011
Long Live Knut
I am simply stunned.
March 21, 2011: According to the zoo keeper who took care of Knut he was in the water and fine, then he was dead. Preliminary necropsy results was that Knut drown when he fell into the water and could not be fished out in time. Preliminary autopsy results show distinctive anomalies at the brain."
March 26, 2011: According to a Reuters article, Epilepsy killed celebrity polar bear Knut: report, "Neurologists reported that they performed a CAT scan on Knut's brain which revealed abnormalities and stated that he died after an epileptic fit." They surmised that Knut inherited Epilepsy from his father, Lars, as he suffered from the disease too. They also said, "Neurologists said the fit was triggered by a brain disorder yet to be identified. Knut's brain is now being studied at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wild Animal Research (IZW)."
March 30, 2011: New results show Knut did not have epilepsy. Instead he "had developed a fatal brain disease," according to a source of the German Press Agency. They said that according to the doctors Knut did not drown and would have died instantly. That ends speculations (including mine) that if they had fished him out sooner, would he have lived? We'll see if this is the final-final results. I'll keep you informed.
April 20, 2011: Knut's brain is saved for posterity in 3D. According to M&C News, "... Knut's skull has been saved digitally. It has also been reproduced on a 3D printer, a device that manufactures shapes using successive layers of resin. The resin skull is a perfect replica of the original inside the head of Knut".
July 26, 2011: Polar bear Knut's body on ice four months later "Scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) are still investigating the virus that killed Knut. Meanwhile researchers at Berlin's Natural History Museum are still looking for the right way to preserve Knut's body for exhibition, Berlin daily BZ reported."
NOTE: Photo courtesy of Berlin Zoo
Knut May be Stuffed!
Berlin Zoo Considering This
Say it ain't so!But it is. Well, at least they are talking about having Knut stuffed and put on display at the Berlin Natural History Museum. The thought is disgusting and degrading. Let him rest in peace.
Gesine Steiner, a spokeswoman for the Museum told Bloomberg, "It is true that our taxidermists are working on his corpse and have removed his fur. We haven't yet made a decision on whether we will stuff him and exhibit him. We have to talk to the zoo. We do of course have lots of stuffed zoo animals on show here."
I hope that this does not happen. I don't like seeing stuffed animals any more than I would like to see a stuffed human body. I'll keep on this story and let you know more as it unfolds. You can read more at Knut the polar bear may be stuffed, displayed in Berlin museum a story by USA Today.
3/25/11 Update: Gesine Steiner from the Museum is insisting that Knut will not be stuffed. He will be "prepared" by stretching it over a plastic form. Sorry. Stuffed, prepared, stretched -- it's is still indecent. If you agree with me, please contact the Berlin Zoo's Director at ...
Dr. Bernhard Blaszkiewitz / Director of Zoo and Tierpark Berlin
Gabriele Thöne / Member of board of directors
Hardenbergplatz 8
10787 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 254 01 232
Fax: +49 30 254 01 255
E-Mail: info@zoo-berlin.de
Almost protests have been posted in the zoo's online memorial book for Knut. A protest is being organized for Saturday morning (Earth Day) at the zoo. If you are in Germany, please join the efforts.
Dec. 27, 2011: Knut's body is still on ice as far as I can tell (see article in above module dated July 26, 2011). No news yet as to whether Knut will be stuffed and put on display or not. I think they are waiting until the furor dies down. I'll keep you informed. Frankster
NOTE: Photo courtesy of Berlin Zoo
Knut - 2008
Knut's Human Parent - Thomas Doerflein
Raising Knut the polar bear
When Knut's mother abandoned him, zoo-keeper, Thomas Doerflein, took over the job of Mom. Not only did he live with Knut, day and night; he also fed him, played with him, and taught him to the best of his ability to be a polar bear. Their relationship was very close as you can see by these photos. (What I would have given to be in his place.)The relationship was one of the many controversies that surrounded Knut his whole life.
On September 22, 2008, after Knut and Doerflein were split up, Doerflein is found dead in his apartment. Rumors saying it was suicide were later discounted as the autopsy showed a heart attack.
Below is a picture taken of Knut shortly after the announcement. His sad look seems to say it all for many of us who fell in love with both Knut and Doeflein. For more on this story, click Zookeeper's death.
Photo by AP
Videos of Knut as a Cub
Baby Polar Bear Videos
Knut was adorable as a cub. I and millions of people couldn't get enough of this little polar bear. We looked for new articles, videos and photos daily. Check these cute videos of when he was a little guy and you'll see why. If you were a Knut fan from the beginning, these will bring tears to your eyes knowing this wonderful creature is no longer with us.
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Your Donations Help Save Polar Bears
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Polar Bears International is dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the polar bear through research and education.
Wonderful Books about Knut
Knut, The Little Polar Bear
Polar Bear Cartoon Book Released!
By Cartoonist David M. Booth
David is an Alaskan artist and cartoonist. He is the official cartoonist for Polar Bears International and you can see his cartoons on their website. David also donates his work to many other non-profit organizations that deal with Polar Bears, endangered species, and the environment. The plight of the polar bears is not a humorous subject, it is David's philosophy that cartoons that add a bit of humor can accomplish much more than "doom & gloom" dialogue.
The book aslo contains beautiful exclusive polar bear photos, everything one needs to know about polar bears, and even a polar bear crossword puzzle.
You can get you own copy by clicking on the book photo above, or click Skating on Thin Ice.
Wear a Bear in Knut's Honor
Polar Bears Cartoon Ware by David M. Booth
Are You Polar Bear Aware? Wear
More Bears to Wear
My Favorite Knut Photo
Knut Was a Happy Piolar Bear
I've always believed that Knut was a happy bear. You just have to look at photos of him. When he would go off by himself, the press or some group would say he was depressed, sad or unhappy. I disagree. If you were put in front of crowds daily, wouldn't you want to have some alone-time, some decompress time? I know I would.
This is my final argument -- this photo by Reuters. Isn't it wonderful? Doesn't he look happy? Content? Satisfied? I'd say YES!
Nature vs. Man
Was the Berlin Zoo right not to let Knut die?
Do you think Knut should have been left to die instead of being raised by humans?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNo way. A baby of any kind should not suffer because the mother had issues!
Shero says:
to begin with if we truly wish to respect mother nature and ensure "Natural bullshitection" is ensured we must shut all zoo's down close all national parks never ever drive cars and stop using energy forms which rely on any type of fossil fuel (so everyone using a computer that thinks it was wrong to save the damn bear please unplug your Computers TVs and Ipods) further more we must also stop animal rescues and damn animal shelters (sorry puppy and kitties we must ensure you have a fair chance to survive by making it unfair to survive by releasing you to get shot at, run over, or just plain beaten) thx for listening.
Posted January 08, 2012
LasgalenArts says:
Once that baby was born in captivity it was a human responsibility. If we are going to take animals out of their environment we have an obligation to take care of them. What we should be doing is taking care of their environment so these animals don't end up in zoos. Just my 2 cents.
Posted January 05, 2012
cutedevil308 says:
no it must not after all it is also a living creature.... what happened was totally wrong...
Posted January 05, 2012
oxfordian says:
I can't believe that this is even a debateable question. Of course save him. It's unbelievable to me that people can argue that wild animals deserve less care than domesticated ones -- or even care they would expect for themselves. I wonder if they would be arguing to "let nature take its course" if they had a genetic disease.
Posted January 04, 2012
jptanabe says:
I don't know why Knut's mother abandoned him, but it was a good thing to save him and give him the best chance at life - which he took and gave us all joy!
Posted January 03, 2012
ZodiacImmortal says:
Aren't polar bears becoming extinct? (or very close to it) So we need to save the animals (even if they are sick & will only live a few years, they should have a chance at life, as well as for those people who love that type of animal. To those who think & say otherwise.....just wait for your tourture in the afterlife! Knut to some of us...will always be alive!
Posted January 03, 2012
ScottiesRock says:
Any life should be saved rather then allowing it to die without any intervention.
Posted January 02, 2012
srioschavez says:
it happens all the time and with these animals numbers so low i think they made the right call however nature shows that most times when mothers abandon babies its because they know somthing is wrong.
Posted January 02, 2012
BuddyBink says:
All life is valuable. You never know the impact of a life that is not lived. Knut was destine to have an impact.
Posted January 02, 2012
Yep. Let nature take it's course.
dpethealth says:
If we save one, the other deserve it too. Why not to save every one in Arctic? At the end they dying because of us...
Posted January 07, 2012
Tolovaj says:
Sometimes it is best not to interfere, but we are humans after all... We would interfere either way...
Posted December 15, 2011
felimone says:
Knut is a wild animal so I thinks he better leaves with his own kind.. I also love knut.. Bye Knut...
Posted September 22, 2011
ellagis says:
As a animal lover, I´d say "no way! All the living creatures must have a chance to survive". As a zoologist. I´m obliged to say that if mother bear decided not to grow him, there was a reason.
Posted June 28, 2011
ShushiDenMaster says:
It's an idea to save animals from nature, it's a sacrifice.
This is only one sacrifice, if any, others are unheard of.
It's also a very global issue, but if you can save someone, why not, only don't wager it upon political issues - because it's time to shine - it's common sence.
Sorry to say, but let's leave them in the wild.
And have 'Save an animal day.'
Posted March 25, 2011
pheonix76 says:
This happens in nature everyday. Animals have evolved and gotten along on their own without humans for thousands of years....now human interference is threatening polar bears more than ever with global climate change. I love animals, but life in a zoo is not a good life for nomadic polar bears.
Posted March 24, 2011
prosperity66 says:
I just think Knut's mother shouldn't have been in a zoo, therefore, her son wouldn't have been in a zoo and would have probably died, but in his own environment; which is always and only the best place for him. Just like our own environment is best for us.
Posted March 24, 2011
Please share your thoughts about about Knut
Are you a Polar Bear Lover?
Please use this guest book to share your thoughts and/or questions about Knut or this lens. Thank you.
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wordchazer
Feb 18, 2012 @ 6:22 pm | delete
- Thanks Frankster. Another quality bear lens from you, to which mine has now been linked.
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Rottygal
Jan 30, 2012 @ 8:02 pm | delete
- A wonderful tribute to a much loved bear
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sousababy
Jan 17, 2012 @ 2:45 pm | delete
- Came back to google +1 this, congrats on your well-deserved purple star (and I see from comments) you made the top 100 Community Favorites for 2011 - belated congrats too!
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sousababy
Jan 17, 2012 @ 2:43 pm | delete
- Oh, I must add this straight away to 'Living Articles on Squidoo' - beautifully told and great photos. Rest in peace dear Knut.
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Afteretc
Jan 11, 2012 @ 9:45 am | delete
- I saw Knut when I was in Berlin! Such a beautiful polar bear! RIP Knut.
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alwaysjules
Jan 8, 2012 @ 6:08 pm | delete
- Happy New Year and Congratulations on making the top 100 Community Favorites for 2011! I remember when this happened, so sad. This tribute to him is truly lovely.
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Tiffany
Jan 8, 2012 @ 4:53 pm | delete
- knut's so cute!!
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dpethealth
Jan 7, 2012 @ 1:31 am | delete
- Cute cub bear which was glamorized too much. Yet I would give his owners a lot of credit to take his "case" of polar bear and promote conservation of this magnificent animals.
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LasgalenArts
Jan 5, 2012 @ 6:52 pm | delete
- I hadn't heard about this bear before. Informative lens. Great job! As for what to do with Knut now it's out of your hands.
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cutedevil308
Jan 5, 2012 @ 4:55 pm | delete
- gudbye knut according to god nature was playing a vital role against you. very cute article..
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Other Featured Polar Bear Lenses
Knut in the News
The Latest Articles about Knut-the-Cute
- Knut Died of Ecessive Brain Fluid
- Knut died of excessive brain fluid: News24: Sci-Tech: News. Knut, the Berlin Zoo polar bear who became an international celebrity before dying aged just 4, died of an excess of brain fluid, not stress, according to sources.
- Germany's polar bear Knut meets Gaddafi
- Sky News is Australia's leader in 24-hour news.
- Remembering Knut: Polar Bear Will Be Given Home at Natural History Museum - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International
- Officials at the Berlin Zoo and the city's Museum of Natural History have agreed to a Knut exhibit with the animal's remains. But Knut supporters are angrily filling an online memory book with demands that the animal be given a%uFFFDproper burial.%uFFFD
- Knut 'cannot be stuffed', say alarmed polar bear activists
- Fans of Knut, Germany's superstar polar bear who died this month, are planning
a demonstration on Saturday against plans for his body to be preserved and
put on display in a Berlin museum. - Polar Bear Lovers Protest Potential Display of Knut's Body at Museum
- Fans of the polar bear Knut, who captured the hearts of America growing up in captivity, are planning to protest against having his body publicly displayed.
- For Mourners of Knut, a Stuffed Bear Just Won't Do
- A polar bear died and the zoo's director decided to stuff its body and put it on display in a museum. (The director prefers the technical term, dermoplastik, though to most people it's stuffed.)
- Polar bear Knut's body on ice four months later.
- More than four months after his untimely death, the corpse of Berlin's beloved polar bear Knut is still on ice, media reported this week.
- Berlin Zoo Director: Knut Should Be Stuffed Because 'He Was Just A Polar Bear' | Ecorazzi
- The Director of the Berlin Zoo earlier this week offered some great insight into how he perceives the animals under his charge.
- Knut (polar bear) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Knut (German pronunciation: [%u02C8knu%u02D0t] ( listen); 5 December 2006 - 19 March 2011) was a polar bear who was born in captivity at the Berlin Zoological Garden. Rejected by his mother at birth, he was raised by zookeepers. He was the first polar bear cub to survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo in more than 30 years.
- The Death of Knut. Also will Global Warming cause the extinction of polar bears? | Green Science | Learn Science at Scitable
- Out of all the fascinating and exotic animals in the world, one of my favorites is the polar bear. Ever since I was young, I jumped up in joy when I visited them at the zoo and I probably have about 10 stuffed animal polar bears lying around my house.
- Polar bear Knut's body on ice four months later - The Local
- More than four months after his untimely death, the corpse of Berlin's beloved polar bear Knut is still on ice, media reported this week.
Fun Knut Stuff from CafePress
Knut Cartoon by David M. Booth
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Copyright 2011 - 2012 Frankie Kangas All rights reserved.
Knut Waves Goodbye
by Frankster
I'm Frankster, aka Bearmeister. I fell in love with Knut the moment I saw the picture in the introduction. I have followed him through the short 4 years... more »
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The Life of Knut
A Must Have Book for Knut Lovers
How One Little Polar Bear Captivated The World (Knut)
Amazon Price: $5.25 (as of 02/23/2012)
This book is a must have for anyone who loved Knut.
The Movie About Knut
Another Must SEE!
Knut & Friends
Amazon Price: $9.55 (as of 02/23/2012)
This is a great movie. There were 10 people who rated this on Amazon. All of the gave it 5 Stars!
Plush Knut
Knut Polar Bear Plush Toy: the baby ice bear at the Berlin Zoo!
Amazon Price: (as of 02/23/2012)
