White bear Knut and its history (photo)

The fate of this charming white bear has affected the hearts of millions of people around the world. His sad story for a long time was discussed in the media. Today we want to return to her again and tell how difficult his life was.

The long-awaited event

For the first time in thirty years in the zoo in Berlin on December 5, 2006, two white twin cubs were born. Bearer Tosca did not feed them and threw newborn babies. One calf died four days after birth, and Knuth (the so-called second bear cub) according to the rules in force at the zoo, must have been put to sleep. However, the baby was taken care of by a person with a good heart - a zoo worker Thomas Dorflein.

Surprisingly, animal rights advocates remained extremely unhappy with his dedication, they began to make demands to stop the communication of the bear cub with people. They were not stopped by the thought that this would most likely lead to tragedy, and the bear Knut would perish. Their motivation was just as simple, as stupid - since the mother-bear left her cub, therefore, something is wrong with him, and therefore his logical death should be the result of natural selection, and the people saving him violate this process.

Fight for the life of a bear cub

Many media outlets have joined the difficult situation. Thanks to their publications, the white bear Knut began to attract the attention of the guests and bring the zoo considerable financial profit. After the publication of a quotation of one of the animal rights activists by the German tabloid Bild, fans of this animal around the world have teamed up to support those who decided to save the baby. From this moment the bear Knut and his friends started a real struggle for survival. Children and elderly people, students and workers came to protest. Friends Knuth from around the world sent millions of letters, supporting all who were going to take care of the baby.

"Knuthomania"

Knut was the reason for the appearance of a phenomenon - a new pop culture, which was called "Knutomania." All over the world, media products, books and DVDs with the image of a common pet were produced. Bear became the main source of income of the zoo. Only in 2007 it amounted to 5 million euros. Annual visits to the zoo increased by 30%.

Appearance in public

Residents of the German capital eagerly awaited the opportunity to see Knut, which became a real symbol of the city. It was first presented on March 23, 2007. Quite quickly the bear Knut became a "world star".

Became incredibly popular "Whip-show", where the bear cub played with his "guardian", Thomas Dörflein, who, unfortunately, is no longer alive. In the zoo and far beyond it, the most popular toys are white cubs and various souvenirs with the image of a popular baby.

Statistics say that more than half of the boys born in 2007 in Berlin received the name Knut.

Using a name

Good sooner or later must return. Thanks to the rescued bear cub, the income of the zoo has increased significantly. In addition to increasing the number of its visitors several times, the management of the institution managed to register the bear's name as a trademark. This allowed 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 Knuth Bear became an effective weapon that was used in the environmental program.

Is it worth reproaching people that sometimes fleeting sentimentality gives way to mercantile interests? Every year Bear Knuth brought to the fund of the zoo more than 5 million euros. As you know, this significantly raised the value of the shares of the institution on the Berlin Stock Exchange. The image of the animal appeared periodically on the covers of the Vanity Fair magazine in the company with the stars of Hollywood, as well as on the famous logo of the Ministry of Environment of the country. 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 "brethren"

To console Knut, he was decided to transport him to the open-air cage for white bears. Among them were his biological parents Tosca and Lars.

As it turned out later, a friendly and affectionate bear "relatives" were harassed, jealous of people, and he often became a victim of bullying by the "family". The zoo workers did not notice the change in Knuth's behavior and mood in time, as they were concerned about the appearance of a new offspring.

In captivity, these white giants live to the age of forty, but fate did not prepare such a gift for Knut. He became a monument to a terrible human disease - carelessness.

Sudden death

Hardly Knuth was four years old, a tragedy occurred to him, which gave itself to pain in millions of human hearts around the world. March 19, 2011 in his aviary Knut suddenly lost consciousness and died.

Witnesses of the tragedy reported that in the beginning he began to shake his left paw. Knut began to walk in a circle, and then fell into the pool. At once the cause of death could not be established, the Zoo press service announced that an autopsy would be conducted.

Another source, The Local, after consulting with specialists, calls the cause of the bear's death an unidentified violation in the work of the brain. Focus magazine believed that Knut drowned after an epileptic fit.

Bear Knuth - the cause of death

After the autopsy of the animal's body, veterinarians named another cause of death - encephalitis, which developed against a background of an unknown infection.

At the same time, animal advocates claim that the pathologists are cunning, and the famous bear "was helped a little" by another strong stress and unsatisfactory maintenance in the open-air cage.

At the same time, these statements do not have documentary evidence, and therefore can not be considered official.

Monument in the zoo

Undoubtedly, the bear Knut and Thomas - his most loyal and unselfish friend - glorified the zoo, in which it was destined to be born and die to this animal.

About 700 visitors witnessed the tragedy. October 24, 2012 in the zoo of Berlin again recalled what was the favorite of millions - the bear Knut. A monument to this pretty baby was discovered on the territory of the zoo. Its author is the sculptor Joseph Tabachnik. The song was called "Whip-dreamer". More than 300 people gathered at the opening ceremony.

Immediately after the death of the animal, someone had the idea to make a stuffed animal out of it and display it in the museum. This idea provoked a stormy protest from the Berliners, but, nevertheless, the idea was put into practice.

Over a scarecrow worked more than two years. The Knuth fur is glued to the body of an artificial material. The eyes are made of glass and have a brown hue. Now it is an exhibit of the Berlin Museum.