Polar Bear Profits Prompt A Protest
German Animal Park Demands A Share Of Berlin Zoo's Money Generated By The Adorable Knut
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The world famous polar bear Knut is seen during his first outing at Berlin's Zoologischer Garten zoo March 23, 2007, left, and on his first birthday, Dec. 5, 2007. (MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK/AFP/Getty Images)
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Play CBS Video Video Famous Polar Bear Grows Up A crowd of 2,000 in Berlin helped celebrate the first birthday of Knut, the famous polar bear who gained recognition after being abandoned by his mother. Richard Roth reports on the festivities.
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Video Knut: Still Cute Or A Brute? Knut, the famous polar bear whose cuddly ways brought him worldwide fame, is celebrating his first birthday in Germany. Charlie D'Agata reports.
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Video Happy Birthday, Knut! Knut, the famous polar bear who helped raise awareness of global warming, celebrated his first birthday at the Berlin Zoo with a tasty treat of fish, potatoes and lettuce. Sheila MacVicar reports.
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Photo Essay Knut's 1st Milestone Celebrity polar bear celebrates his 1st birthday at the Berlin Zoo.
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Photo Essay Nuts Over Knut Take a glimpse of the fuzzy white polar bear that has captured hearts around the globe.
A German zoo that claims ownership of Knut said Wednesday it's going to court to force the Berlin Zoo to disclose how much Knut has generated in proceeds, part of a first step in its bid for a slice of the Knut goldmine.
The Neumuenster Zoo in northern Germany owns Knut's father, Lars, and said it is the legal owner of his first offspring - Knut - under a deal made with the Berlin Zoo, where the cub was born in 2006.
The Berlin Zoo has said it recognizes Neumuenster's ownership in principle, but maintains that does not give Neumuenster a right to any proceeds from the polar bear's huge success.
The irresistibly cute Knut - raised by hand in Berlin after his mother rejected him at birth - became a media phenomenon in early 2007.
The Berlin Zoo reported a 27 percent increase in visitors last year compared with 2006 and had a 2007 profit of nearly $10.7 million. It has licensing agreements for all kinds of Knut products, including stuffed animals, T-shirts, mugs and DVDs.
Neumuenster Zoo director Peter Druewa said in a statement that his zoo had unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with the Berlin Zoo but has now turned to a court in Berlin for a ruling.
"We do not want to remove Knut from his environment," Druewa said. "But we have a right to our request for money."
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