Knut The Polar Bear's Keeper Found Dead

44-Year-Old Caretaker At Berlin Zoo Raised Abandoned Cub That Became World Sensation

(AP)  The zookeeper who gained fame for hand-rearing the beloved polar bear Knut was found dead in his Berlin apartment Monday.

A spokeswoman for Berlin police said Thomas Doerflein was dead when authorities arrived at the apartment and that they had no information on the cause of death.

Doerflein was 44 years old.

He gained fame in Germany and beyond as the ever-present caretaker for Knut, a polar bear cub abandoned by his mother in late 2006.

Knut became a worldwide sensation when the Berlin Zoo decided to raise him by hand, and Doerflein was there for every stage of the bear's progress.

With his burly build, beard and ponytail, Doerflein was a distinctive figure at the side of the growing bear. He nursed young Knut in his arms behind closed doors and wrestled with him after the bear grew old enough to play.

When Knut made his public debut in March 2007, Doerflein was at his side. They started a daily performance for the thousands of visitors who flocked to see the bear at his outdoor enclosure.

But the "Knut Show" ended in July of that year when the zoo's director ruled that the bear had grown too large for Doerflein to frolic with in safety.

The boisterous bear now weighs more than 265 pounds, has his own feature-length film, blog and TV show. He has graced the cover of German Vanity Fair and appeared on a set of stamps.

The Berlin Zoo credited Knut with a 27 percent increase in visitors in 2007 and profits of nearly €6.8 million ($9.9 million). It has licensing agreements for all kinds of Knut products, including stuffed animals, T-shirts, mugs and DVDs.

Last November Doerflein was awarded Berlin's medal of merit for his service to the city - and to Knut.

Doerflein worked at the zoo for more than 25 years. According to the newspaper Die Welt, Doerflein was a Berlin native with two grown children. He lived with his girlfriend and her young son.

[sabestu]

there really are some pendejos around here with their comments... No class whatsoever

[bbinfla]

Has Knut been charged with murder yet? Have they figured out how he made it to the apartment.

[caldwellptr]

Yes, some polar bears in the wild are stressed and are resorting to eating other polar bears.

[jessix1]

Who played with KNUT after his keeper was discharged?

Was there another keeper available to continue a bear-human relationship?

Seems like both would have suffered withdrawal symptoms from the immediate cessation of contact. Bears have feelings too!

[txpatriot4us]

Ok so how many of you were expecting to hear that the Polar Bear ATE the Guy? The man passed away and probably from natural causes like a heart failure or something.

[impeach__w]

The Polar bears in the wild are resorting to cannibalism. Have you heard?

[jaykay3141]

So much for CBS''s funky filtering. Not only no bad words allowed, but no umlauts either.

[jaykay3141]

I had the privilege of seeing "Knut, der Eisbdrjunge" at the Berlin Zoo a year ago. Thomas Dvrflein''s devotion was incredible, and I pray that God will grant his soul eternal peace.

Yes, Knut is "just one more wild animal", but Thomas made sure that there is just one more member of this threatened species alive and well. I cannot understand the hard-hearted comments of some posters who don''t understand that. They''re probably the same kind of person who would deliberately run their car over a bird or rabbit to prove they''re "superior".

[mollydtt]

Yes, this IS news. He practically single-handedly raised attendance at the Berlin Zoo by 25 per cent and has made it a bigger tourist attraction ever since. Saving Knut was important. My condolences to Mr. Doerflein''s family and friends.

[jetlizhan]

how very sad. i''m so sorry for his loved ones left behind. any great animal lover is ok with me - he dedicated his whole life to making animals more comfortable and understood in this world.