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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Zoo Braces for Snowflake Mania

City updates transport, stores stock up in wake of bear fever

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(Newser) – Polar celebrity Snowflake will meet her adoring public as early as late March, and Nuremberg zoo staff predict a blizzard of attention surrounding its most popular bundle of fur. Annual visitors are expected to jump from 250,000 to 1.3 million, reports Der Spiegel, which has the city readying itself by speeding up public transportation to the zoo.

Stuffed polar bears and Snowflake-shape marzipan litter shop windows, as the zoo constructs additional ticket kiosks in anticipation of booming weekend and holiday crowds. The cuddly diva is doing her best to refine her act before she takes it public, recently learning to stand on all fours in a "somewhat wobbly" attempt.

In this photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 shows the polar bear cub Flocke carried by an keeper. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer)
In this photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 shows the polar bear cub Flocke carried by an keeper. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer)   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg Germany, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 shows the polar bear cub Flocke carried by a keeper. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer) NO SALES
In this photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg Germany, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 shows the polar bear cub Flocke carried by a keeper. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer)...   (Associated Press)
A photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Friday, Jan. 25, 2008 shows polar bear cub Flocke. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer)
A photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Friday, Jan. 25, 2008 shows polar bear cub Flocke. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer)   (Associated Press)
A photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 shows keeper Harald Hager bottle feeding polar bear cub Flocke. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer) * EDITORIAL USE ONLY * NO SALES
A photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 shows keeper Harald Hager bottle feeding polar bear cub Flocke. (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer)...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 shows the still unnamed polar bear cub. So far its nickname is Flocke (Flake). (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg, Ralf Schedlbauer) * EDITORIAL USE ONLY * NO SALES
In this photo released by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Nuremberg on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 shows the still unnamed polar bear cub. So far its nickname is Flocke (Flake). (AP Photo/Tiergarten Nuernberg,...   (Associated Press)
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