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Flocke Dives Into the Spotlight

Second celebrity bear cub makes her public debut

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2008 2:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – The younger and cuter of Germany's celebrity polar bear cubs greeted her adoring public today at the Nuremberg Zoo, Der Spiegel reports. Flocke ("Snowflake") mostly ignored the hundreds of eager reporters waiting to beam her antics across the world, choosing instead to explore her outdoor enclosure and splash in her pool. The zoo is bracing for up to 25,000 visitors per day, starting tomorrow.

Flocke was raised by zookeepers after fears that her mother would let her die. The zoo's director used today's media spotlight to bring attention to the plight of the bear's wild cousins. "People shouldn't see Snowflake as a little teddy, but as a symbol," he said. "The greenhouse effect is literally taking away the polar bears' habitat from under their feet."

A photo released by the "Tiergarten Nuernberg" zoo in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 shows polar bear cub "Flocke" surrounded by media. (Associated Press)

Keeper Horst Maussner plays with 4-month-old polar bear cub Flocke during her first public outdoor trip in her enclosure at the zoo Tuesday, April 8, 2008. (Associated Press)

Polar bear cub "Flocke" jumps into the water in her outdoor enclosure of the zoo of Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. (Associated Press)

Flocke stands in the water during her first public outdoor trip in her enclosure. Zoo officials introduced Germany's latest polar bear cub Tuesday to a public eager for its first live glimpse of her. (Associated Press)

Keeper Steffi Krueger accompanies 4-month-old polar bear cub Flocke during her first outdoor trip in her enclosure. (Associated Press)

Flocke takes a swim during her first public outdoor trip in her enclosure at the zoo in Nuremberg, southern Germany, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. (Associated Press)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Germany • polar bear • Nuremburg Zoo • Flocke

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Our No. 1 Gift to German Language in '11: 'Shitstorm'

Yep, really. A jury of German language experts picked it

Islamic Extremist Gets Life for Killing 2 US Airmen

Arid Uka shot at servicemen in Frankfurt last year

iPad, iPhone Ban Overturned

Motorola's patent infringement ruling in Germany doesn't last long

'Art' Urinals Spark Rolling Stones Museum Furor

Women slam mouth-shaped toilets as sexism

Czechs, Brits Reject Deal to Save EU Economy

Critics attack European Union's fiscal belt-tightening deal

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Newser By Users

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