Knut the polar bear going to be stuffed! Please sign the petition!

[lizbud]

If I recall the news stories correctly, Knut was acting kind of disoriented and going around in circles. If he hadn't fallen in the pond as a result - if he had fallen over elsewhere in the enclosure - staff would have noticed and he would have received treatment.

This might have been the first time he showed any symptoms at all...so sad!

He probably didn't show any symtoms beforehand, or you would think
it would be noticed by somebody. I watched the video of his last minutes
and he definately showed detress before he fell into the water. It is very
sad.

( this video was filmed by some visitor at the Zoo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlC1KIlVYyw

[Asiel]

If it was done in a dignified manner I think it would be an honour to bestow on
him. Maybe they could have a nice plaque with his name and some information about his life and more information about polar bears in general.
I think a lot of the public are still in the dark as to the complete history of polar bears.

I remember my daughter wanting to have one of our dogs stuffed and kept in the living room, she was devastated when we had to have him euthanized due to cancer. That time I did find it repulsive and gross and we creamated the dog...not quite the same as a polar bear and I wouldn't want to be looking at him today

[Karen]

I think a life-sized bronze or wood statue that children could climb on, even a cement one - would be better, as they will not be allowed to touch a stuffed version.

[kittycats_delight]

I think a life-sized bronze or wood statue that children could climb on, even a cement one - would be better, as they will not be allowed to touch a stuffed version.

This in my opinon is the right way to go. It is a wonderful tribute to Knut. The zoo in Verona 'Parco Natura Viva' did just this when Pippo the pygmy hippo passed. Pippo was an icon of the zoo. He was a resident since the zoo was founded and they did a life size bronze when he passed.

I think a bronze would be perfect. Knut brought so much notariaty to the zoo that he deserves to have his body laid to rest without being made a spectacle of and a bronze would give the zoo the honor of having him displayed gloriously as he should be.