Environment

Swedish Zoo May Adopt Berlin Bear Knut

by josiemitchell | December 3, 2008 at 10:07 am

364 views | 5 Recommendations | 4 comments

The face of Berlin's zoo, Knut, the famous polar bear that was raised in captivity and who is at the heart of a renewed interest and funding in the Berlin Zoo may be making his way to Sweden. The 1999 agreement between the Northern Germany Neumünster Zoo and Berlin Zoo stated that the first born cub of, Tosca, Knut's mother, would belong to the Neumünster Zoo, which might transfer him to a zoo in Sweden.

After two years of fame and Berlin-loving Knut will be making his way North. After the September death of his caretaker Thomas Dörflein, Knut has been having a difficult time and zookeepers think the transition might be a positive change, even though Berlin will be losing their furry celebrity.

Celebrity polar bear Knut, the pride of Berlin Zoo, may be on his way to Sweden. Orsa Bear Park in central Sweden confirmed on Tuesday that it has been in negotiations for the last year to attract the cuddly ursine as the poster boy for its new polar bear project.

Berlin Zoo revealed ahead of Knut's second birthday on Friday that it is mulling a move for its main attraction in a bid to find a mate for the blossoming youngster.

Torbjörn Wallin, head of Orsa Grönklitt AB, the company that owns the park, said he was very keen to provide Knut with a new home in the Dalarna region.

"He is the most famous bear in the world after all," he told Swedish news agency TT.

With a new four hectare polar bear enclosure scheduled to open in May 2009, Orsa is perfectly positioned to house the furry Berliner.

The park is investing ten million kronor in the project, which will also include an information campaign to highlight the plight of the endangered species.

Meanwhile German news agency DPA reported on Monday that Knut could be headed Neumünster Zoo in Schleswig-Holstein either after Christmas or in 2010.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Paschen

at 10:26 on December 3rd, 2008

Neumunster is in Germany not Sweden. There has to be a mistake here some where.

josiemitchell

at 13:23 on December 3rd, 2008

Thanks for catching that Paschen, my German geography is a little wonky!

Paschen

at 21:31 on December 3rd, 2008

You are welcome.

liliana navarro (not verified)

at 03:40 on January 22nd, 2009

This is outrageous! After all the millions the Berlin Zoo cashed because of Knut,they seem to be more interested in another profitable deal rather than providing Knut with a love den.