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Polar Bear Knut Is Dead

Beloved polar bear had been a world sensation

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2011 12:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sad news from Germany: Knut, the world's most famous polar bear, is dead. The 4-year-old bear was found in his enclosure this morning, though the cause of death isn't known. Knut became an international sensation after being abandoned by his mother at the Berlin Zoo, then raised by human keepers. He drew millions of visitors, notes Bloomberg. To catch up on all things Knut, click here.

A 2007 file photo of a young Knut.
A 2007 file photo of a young Knut.   (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
Little Knut in 2007.
Little Knut in 2007.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski, File)
Combo images of Knut in 2007.
Combo images of Knut in 2007.   (AP Photo/Franka Bruns, Markus Schreiber, Michael Sohn, file)
Knut on Dec. 5, 2010, next to his birthday cake at the Berlin Zoo.
Knut on Dec. 5, 2010, next to his birthday cake at the Berlin Zoo.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
That's Knut yawning last year.
That's Knut yawning last year.   (Getty Images)
Knut stands on his hind legs last year.
Knut stands on his hind legs last year.   (Getty Images)
Knut interacts with young Berlin Zoo visitor in October 2010.
Knut interacts with young Berlin Zoo visitor in October 2010.   (Getty Images)
Knut takes a swim last year.
Knut takes a swim last year.   (Getty Images)
Play time, last year.
Play time, last year.   (AP Photo/Maya Hitij)
Knut plays with an old rotten soccer ball in the pool of his enclosure at the Berlin Zoo in 2009.
Knut plays with an old rotten soccer ball in the pool of his enclosure at the Berlin Zoo in 2009.   (AP Photo/Maya Hitij)
Knut eats bread last year.
Knut eats bread last year.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Mersault
Mar 19, 2011 10:30 PM CDT
We bearly knut him....
kokuaguy
Mar 19, 2011 4:40 PM CDT
They need to find out what happened to cause such an untimely death. DLY is correct to bring up the topic of climate change / global warming. At some point this species will have very little habitat left and it may be that the only remaining polar bears will be maintained in captivity. As nearly everyone has indicated in the voting on this story, the loss of Knut is truly depressing for those who love all God's creatures and creation.
DieselDaWg
Mar 19, 2011 4:06 PM CDT
Dead at 4 years old.. maybe there was a reason he was abandoned?

 
Knut • Berlin Zoo • polar bear

 
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