BERLIN, Sept. 22, 2008

Knut The Polar Bear's Keeper Found Dead

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

    • Knut the polar bear cub plays with his keeper Thomas Doerflein at the Berlin Zoo in 2007. Doerflein passed away this week at the age of 44.

      Knut the polar bear cub plays with his keeper Thomas Doerflein at the Berlin Zoo in 2007. Doerflein passed away this week at the age of 44.  (AP Photo)

    • Doerflein nursed the abandoned cub, wrestled with him when the bear grew old enough to play, and made daily public performances for the thousands of visitors who flocked to the zoo to see Knut.

      Doerflein nursed the abandoned cub, wrestled with him when the bear grew old enough to play, and made daily public performances for the thousands of visitors who flocked to the zoo to see Knut.  (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)

    • 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.

      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)

    Previous slide Next slide
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Photo Essay Knut's 1st Milestone

    Celebrity polar bear celebrates his 1st birthday at the Berlin Zoo.

  • Photo Essay Nuts Over Knut

    Take a glimpse of the fuzzy white polar bear that has captured hearts around the globe.

(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.

By Associated Press Writer Patrick McGroarty
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment See all 36 Comments
by sabestu September 24, 2009 7:34 PM EDT
there really are some pendejos around here with their comments... No class whatsoever
Reply to this comment
by bbinfla September 24, 2008 10:51 AM EDT
Has Knut been charged with murder yet? Have they figured out how he made it to the apartment.
Reply to this comment
by caldwellptr September 24, 2008 1:45 AM EDT
Yes, some polar bears in the wild are stressed and are resorting to eating other polar bears.
Reply to this comment
by jessix1 September 24, 2008 12:04 AM EDT
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!
Reply to this comment
by txpatriot4us September 23, 2008 8:07 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by impeach__w September 23, 2008 7:29 PM EDT
The Polar bears in the wild are resorting to cannibalism. Have you heard?
Reply to this comment
by jaykay3141 September 23, 2008 6:32 PM EDT
So much for CBS''s funky filtering. Not only no bad words allowed, but no umlauts either.
Reply to this comment
by jaykay3141 September 23, 2008 6:31 PM EDT
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".
Reply to this comment
by mollydtt September 23, 2008 2:08 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by jetlizhan September 23, 2008 12:26 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by dsr57 September 23, 2008 12:24 PM EDT
Really? This is world news? A guy that hung out with a polar bear for a year dies and it''s news?

Sad
Reply to this comment
by gmond September 23, 2008 12:15 PM EDT
poor guy
Reply to this comment
by pirmin3 September 23, 2008 11:52 AM EDT
"Be careful how you spell the bear''''s name....People will think you are refering to Cindy McCain... Posted by onemoretim"

Or caribou barbie. ROF
Reply to this comment
by usclimey September 23, 2008 11:39 AM EDT
The liberals killed him.

Posted by zgomer

A moron showing his funny side. Pathetic.

Reply to this comment
by babooph September 23, 2008 10:02 AM EDT
She wouldn''t do that -the bear would have been blasted from a chopper.
Reply to this comment
by lucasnico September 23, 2008 3:01 AM EDT
Palin did it.
Reply to this comment
by incog-nito September 23, 2008 12:54 AM EDT
Witnesses reported that a couple of bears were spotted running away from the scene moments before the body was discovered.
Reply to this comment
by cheetah-man7 September 22, 2008 11:11 PM EDT
Wow.... I was really stunned to read of his death. I remember thinking how much I would love to be this man, who had such a wonderful experience with a wild animal such as Knut. I am just amazed to hear of his death. I hope there was no foul-play involved. My condolences to his family, and to Knut! What a tragic loss!
Reply to this comment
by jd2408 September 22, 2008 10:59 PM EDT
Sorry, I meant to tell you to just go to youtube and key in Knut. There are a couple videos that are really worth seeing.

Reply to this comment
by jd2408 September 22, 2008 10:52 PM EDT
There is a great video on youtube with the bear and Doerflein. It warms your heart and shows how much he really gave to this little bear. God bless you Doerflein and may you Rest in peace.
Reply to this comment
See all 36 Comments

60 Minutes

The secrets of tennis legend Andre Agassi; the growing threat of cyber wars; and more.
Read More

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
  • Celebrity Circuit Celebrity Circuit

    Jimmy Fallon, Robert De Niro, Alicia Keys, Eva Longoria Parker, Jon Voight, Tom Hanks and More

  • The Fall Of The Berlin Wall The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

    Looking Back at the Wall that Once Divided Germany On the 20th Anniversary of Its Collapse

  • Patricia Clarkson Patricia Clarkson

    Television and Film Actress, Yale School of Drama Graduate and Academy Award Nominee

  • Day in Pictures Day in Pictures

    A Glimpse at the Day's News as Seen Through a Camera Lens

  • Andre Agassi Andre Agassi

    Former Top-Seeded Tennis Star, Gossip Column Favorite and Philanthropist

  • Yankees Victory Parade Yankees Victory Parade

    The Yankees Celebrate Their 27th World Series Championship with a Ticker-Tape Parade Up Broadway

Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: