Polar bear Knut's zookeeper is dead! (Sad Knut article #8)

**Kirsten** · 09-23-2008, 07:14 AM

Read the sad news last night: Thomas Doerflein, who hand-raised polar bear cub Knut in the zoo of Berlin last year, died yesterday. There's no information re. the cause of his death, but obviously he was suffering from an illness for a while.

Here are some articles:

Knut the polar bear's zookeeper found dead in Berlin

This article has many great shots of him and Knut:
Zookeeper who hand-reared Knut the polar bear found dead

Zookeeper who hand-reared Knut the polar bear is found dead

Kirsten

**Kirsten** · 09-23-2008, 12:49 PM

Well, it's on the news now that he died from a heart attack. He was only 44.

Very sad!

Kirsten

**Karen** · 09-23-2008, 12:57 PM

How sad! At least his legacy of love with live on in Knut! And his children, too, I am sure.

Rest in peace, dear sir, and I am sure large white furry angels greeted you at the Rainbow Bridge, for all the care you gave to Knut!

**Kirsten** · 09-23-2008, 01:04 PM

Rest in peace, dear sir, and I am sure large white furry angels greeted you at the Rainbow Bridge, for all the care you gave to Knut!

That is a beautiful thought, Karen.

I wonder if Knut is feeling now that something's wrong. One article said that Mr. Doerflein visited Knut on Saturday, and even though he couldn't play with Knut any longer because of Knut's size, there must have been a connection between the two of them.

And apparently people have started placing flowers and condolence cards at the fence of Knut's encloser. And even though he is used to get a lot of attention, he can probably feel the sadness of the people visiting him today...

Kirsten

**Randi** · 09-23-2008, 01:43 PM

Oh Kirsten, that is so sad, and such a shock to his family.

Rest in Peace, Thomas! You were one of a kind and will always be remembered for your wonderful care for Knut.

**elizabethann** · 09-23-2008, 08:14 PM

That is so sad. He was an awesome parent to Knut.

**Barbara** · 09-24-2008, 04:58 AM

I also read that he had been ill for a long time. I am glad that he had that opportunity to live with little Knut for a while.

**Kirsten** · 09-24-2008, 10:54 AM

The Sun has a very sad article on Knut:

Unbearable

Seems like he was already a very unhappy bear, greedy for attention and missing his keeper. And now he will never see him again.

Really sad!

Kirsten

**Catty1** · 09-24-2008, 01:13 PM

I hope Knut can be rehabilitated.

I know zoos don't have a lot of money - but I hope that some of the money that Knut brought in (it was considerable, according to one of the stories) will be used towards his care.

There is a scary pic of him snarling at a child (through glass, thank goodness).

Rehabilitation may be the only way to save his life.

RIP, Thomas.

**Karen** · 09-24-2008, 02:01 PM

Poor, poor Knut! I would be his friend!

**kb2yjx** · 09-24-2008, 02:55 PM

Thank you Kirsten for sharing this with us!! I need to wander out of Cat Talk once in a while to catch up on things...Sleep softly, Thomas...your furry friend misses you...

**Kirsten** · 09-24-2008, 03:11 PM

The zoo of Berlin has set up a condolence book on their website, and it got nearly 4000 entries within 24 hours, from all over the world...

There is a scary pic of him snarling at a child (through glass, thank goodness).

Yes, but the incident was on tv earlier this year, and there you could see that the kid has been teasing Knut, and he was only reacting to that.

I sure hope he will be alright and will be able to live a good life one day. Maybe he could use some PT prayers?

Kirsten