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[[Image:KnutbookcoverEng.jpg|thumb|right|Cover for ''Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World''.]]
[[Image:KnutbookcoverEng.jpg|thumb|right|Cover for ''Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World''.]]
On [[1 May]] [[2007]] it was announced that New York-based Turtle Pond Publications and the Berlin Zoo had signed a deal for the publishing rights to Knut with the hopes of raising awareness of [[global warming]] issues. Written by [[Craig Hatkoff]] and his daughters Juliana and Isabella, the 44-page book entitled ''Knut, der kleine Eisbärenjunge'' (''Little Polar Bear Knut'') includes Knut's life story as well as previously unpublished photographs.<ref name="childrensbook">{{cite news | last =Allen | first =Kristen| title =Berlin Zoo Introduces Children's Book | publisher =Fox News | date =[[2007-07-26]] | url =http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jul26/0,4670,BooksKnut,00.html | accessdate =2007-08-10 }}</ref> Although several books about Knut had already been published in Germany, this book was the first to be authorised by the Berlin Zoo.
On [[1 May]] [[2007]] it was announced that New York-based Turtle Pond Publications and the Berlin Zoo had signed a deal for the publishing rights to Knut with the hopes of raising awareness of [[global warming]] issues. Written by [[Craig Hatkoff]] and his daughters Juliana and Isabella, the 44-page book entitled ''Knut, der kleine Eisbärenjunge'' (''Little Polar Bear Knut'') includes Knut's life story as well as previously unpublished photographs.<ref name="childrensbook">{{cite news | last =Allen | first =Kristen| title =Berlin Zoo Introduces Children's Book | publisher =Fox News | date =[[2007-07-26]] | url =http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jul26/0,4670,BooksKnut,00.html | accessdate =2007-08-10 }}</ref> Although several books about Knut had already been published in Germany, this book was the first to be authorized by the Berlin Zoo.


The book was published in Germany on [[26 July]] [[2007]] and American publishing company [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] released the English version, entitled ''Knut: How one little polar bear captivated the world'', in the United States in November of the same year.<ref name="book deal">{{cite news | title=Knut to fight global warming | date=[[2007-05-02]] | publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url =http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21654514-5006007,00.html | work =News.com.au | pages = | accessdate = 2007-05-01}}</ref><ref name="cashcow">{{cite news | title =Polar Bear Turned Cash Cow; Knut the Business-Bear | publisher =Spiegel Online International | date =[[2007-05-11]] | url =http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,482368,00.html | accessdate =2007-08-10 }}</ref> Rights to the book have also been sold to publishers in Japan, England, Mexico, China, and Italy.
The book was published in Germany on [[26 July]] [[2007]] and American publishing company [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] released the English version, entitled ''Knut: How one little polar bear captivated the world'', in the United States in November of the same year.<ref name="book deal">{{cite news | title=Knut to fight global warming | date=[[2007-05-02]] | publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url =http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21654514-5006007,00.html | work =News.com.au | pages = | accessdate = 2007-05-01}}</ref><ref name="cashcow">{{cite news | title =Polar Bear Turned Cash Cow; Knut the Business-Bear | publisher =Spiegel Online International | date =[[2007-05-11]] | url =http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,482368,00.html | accessdate =2007-08-10 }}</ref> Rights to the book have also been sold to publishers in Japan, England, Mexico, China, and Italy.

Revision as of 19:47, 4 February 2008

Knut during his public unveiling at the Berlin Zoo on 23 March 2007.

Knut ([knuːt]ⓘ) is a captive-born polar bear who was born at the Zoologischer Garten Berlin on 5 December 2006. Rejected by his mother at birth, he was subsequently raised by zoo keepers. He was the first polar bear cub to survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo in more than 30 years. At one time the subject of international controversy, he became a popular tourist attraction and commercial success.[1] After the German tabloid newspaper Bild ran a quote from an animal rights activist that seemingly called for the death of the young cub, a worldwide public outrage was caused as fans rallied in support of his being hand-raised by humans. Children protested outside the zoo, and many e-mails and letters expressing sympathy for the cub were sent from around the world.[2]

Knut became the centre of a mass media phenomenon dubbed "Knutmania" that spanned the globe and quickly spawned numerous toys, media specials, DVDs, and books.[3] Because of this, the cub was largely responsible for a significant increase in revenue at the Berlin Zoo in 2007.[4] Zoo attendance figures for the year increased by an estimated 30 percent, making it the most profitable year in its 163-year history.[5]

Biography

Infancy

Thomas Dörflein plays with Knut on 31 May, 2007.

Knut was born at the Berlin Zoo to 20-year-old bear, Tosca, a former circus performer from East Germany who was born in Canada, and her 13-year-old mate Lars, who was originally from the Tierpark Hellabrunn in Munich. After an unproblematic gestation time, Knut and his unnamed brother were born on 5 December, 2006. Tosca rejected her cubs for unknown reasons, abandoning them on a rock in the polar bear enclosure.[6] Zoo keepers rescued the cubs by scooping them out of the enclosure with an extended fishing net,[6] but Knut's brother died of an infection four days later. Knut was the first polar bear to have been born and survive in the Berlin Zoo in over thirty years. Only the size of a guinea pig, he spent the first 44 days of his life in an incubator before zoo keeper Thomas Dörflein began raising the cub.[7]

Knut's need for around-the-clock care required that Dörflein not only sleep on a mattress next to Knut's sleeping crate at night, but also play with, bathe, and feed the cub daily. Knut's diet began with a bottle of milk every two hours before graduating at the age of four months to a milk porridge mixed with cat food, vitamins, and cod liver. Dörflein also accompanied Knut on his twice-daily one-hour shows for the public and therefore appeared in many videos and photographs alongside the cub. As a result, Dörflein became a minor celebrity in Germany[8] and was even awarded Berlin's Medal of Merit in honor of his continuous care for the polar bear cub.[9]

Controversy

In early March 2007, German tabloid Bild-Zeitung carried a quote by animal rights activist Frank Albrecht who said that Knut should have been killed rather than humiliated by being raised "as a domestic pet". He declared that the zoo was violating animal protection legislation by keeping him alive.[10] Wolfram Graf-Rudolf, the director of the Aachen Zoo, agreed with Albrecht and stated that the zookeepers "should have had the courage to let the bear die" after it was rejected, arguing that the bear will "die a little" every time it is separated from its caretaker.[2] A group of children protested at the zoo, holding up placards reading "Knut Must Live" and "We Love Knut", and others sent numerous emails and letters asking for the cub's life to be spared. Threatening letters were also sent to Albrecht.[2] The Berlin Zoo rallied in support of the baby polar bear, vowing not to harm him.[11]

Albrecht, who was not associated with any particular animal rights organization, later claimed that he was quoted out of context: According to Albrecht, he had filed suit against the head of the Leipzig Zoo in December 2006, for killing a sloth bear cub rejected by its mother. The case was dismissed by the courts arguing that raising the animal by humans would have been inappropriate. Albrecht, who opposed that judgment, says he called for Knut's death not because he actually wanted to have the bear killed, but merely to call attention to the Leipzig decision, which would have granted the Berlin Zoo the right to kill the polar bear cub.[12] Most international media, however, relied on Bild-Zeitung's version and reported Albrecht's request to have Knut killed out of context. The publicity from this coverage raised Knut's profile from national to international.[13][14]

In the spotlight

On 23 March 2007, Knut was presented to the public for the first time.[15] Around 400 journalists visited the Berlin Zoo on what was dubbed "Knut Day" to report on the cub's first public appearance to a worldwide audience.[16] Because Knut became the focus of worldwide media at a very young age, many stories and false alarms regarding the cub's health and well-being were circulated during his first year. For example, on 16 April 2007, Knut was removed from display due to teething pains resulting from the growth of his right upper canine tooth, but initial reports vaguely stated that he was suffering from an unknown illness and subsequently put on antibiotics.[17] Much ado was also made about a death threat that was sent shortly before 15:00 local time on Wednesday 18 April 2007. The zoo had received an anonymous letter by fax which said "Knut ist tot! Donnerstag Mittag." ("Knut is dead! Thursday noon.")[18] In response, the police increased their security measures around the bear. The time frame for the threat passed without incident or harm to Knut.[19][20]

Five months after his debut, the 90 kg cub is shown on 31 October 2007.

Despite Der Spiegel reporting on 30 April 2007 that Knut was "steadily getting less cute" as he increased in age,[21] Knut continued to bring in record crowds to the zoo that summer. After reaching seven months old and 50 kg (110 lbs) in July of 2007, Knut's scheduled twice daily public appearances were canceled due to the zoo's concern for the safety of his keeper. Zoo spokeswoman Regine Damm also said it was time for the bear to "associate with other bears and not with other people."[22] After living in the same enclosure as Ernst, a Malaysian black bear cub who was born a month before Knut, and its mother,[23] Knut was then moved to his own private living space. While visitor numbers dwindled from extreme highs in March and April, Knut remained a major attraction at the zoo for the rest of 2007. 400,000 guests were recorded in August 2007, which was an all time high.[24]

News of Knut and his life at the zoo was still being reported internationally in late 2007. Knut's restricted diet, necessary to curtail his natural weight gain necessary to survive harsh winters, made headlines outside of Germany.[25] His daily meals were reduced in number from four to three, and treats, such as croissants, which are favored by the young polar bear, were restricted.[26] After hurting his foot while slipping on a wet rock in his enclosure a month later in September, there was an outpouring of concern and support from fans worldwide.[27] In November 2007 and weighing over 90 kg (200 lbs), Knut was deemed too dangerous for close handling and his interaction with human handlers was further diminished.

The celebration of the cub's first birthday, which was attended by hundreds of children, was broadcast live on German television. The national mint also issued 25,000 special commemorative silver coins to mark his birthday.[28] Knut's future role at the Berlin Zoo may include him becoming an "attractive stud" for other zoos in order to help preserve his species.[29] Before he matures at the age of three or four, the common age for bears to become sexually active, Knut will likely be moved to another zoo with more mates closer to his age.

Effects of popularity

Commercial success

File:Knut polar bear cub german vanity fair.jpg
Knut on the cover of the German Vanity Fair. The text reads, "I am Knut; an international superstar from Germany".

The Berlin Zoo registered Knut as a trademark in late March 2007. As a result its shares more than doubled at the Berlin Stock Exchange; previously worth around 2,000 euros, the value closed at 4,820 euros just a week later.[4] The zoo reported that its attendance figures for 2007 increased by an estimated 30 percent, making it the most profitable it had been in its 163 year history.[5]

Various companies profited from the attention surrounding Knut by developing themed products such as ringtones and cuddly toys.[30] Famed plush toy company Steiff produced several Knut-based plush toys in three sizes and models: sitting, standing, and lying down. The first 2,400 produced toys, which sold exclusively at the Berlin Zoo, sold out in only four days.[5] The money raised from the Steiff deal was intended to be used to renovate the polar bear enclosure at the zoo.[31] Candy company Haribo released a raspberry-flavored gummy bear sweet called Cuddly Knut beginning in April of 2007. They pledged to donate ten euro cents to the zoo for every tub of Knut sweets it sold. The gummy bears sold so well that the Bonn-based company had to expand production to a second factory to deal with demands.[32]

Knut has been the subject of several popular songs in Germany, the most successful of which were the singles "Knut is Cute" and "Knut, der kleine Eisbär" (Template:Lang-en) by nine-year-old Kitty from Köpenick.[33][34] A blog with updates about the polar bear is maintained by a journalist at the regional public broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg; it is available in German, English, and Spanish. RBB is also responsible for a weekly television program dedicated to the polar bear cub that is broadcast in Germany. Knut has also been the subject of several DVDs,[35] including one entitled "Knut - Stories from a Polar Bear's Nursery". He appeared on the 29 March 2007 cover of the German Vanity Fair magazine, which included a several page spread about the cub's life.[4]

File:KnutbookcoverEng.jpg
Cover for Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World.

On 1 May 2007 it was announced that New York-based Turtle Pond Publications and the Berlin Zoo had signed a deal for the publishing rights to Knut with the hopes of raising awareness of global warming issues. Written by Craig Hatkoff and his daughters Juliana and Isabella, the 44-page book entitled Knut, der kleine Eisbärenjunge (Little Polar Bear Knut) includes Knut's life story as well as previously unpublished photographs.[36] Although several books about Knut had already been published in Germany, this book was the first to be authorized by the Berlin Zoo.

The book was published in Germany on 26 July 2007 and American publishing company Scholastic released the English version, entitled Knut: How one little polar bear captivated the world, in the United States in November of the same year.[37][3] Rights to the book have also been sold to publishers in Japan, England, Mexico, China, and Italy.

On 31 December 2007, the zoo's director announced a pending contract with Hollywood film producer Ash R. Shah, whose films include Supernova and Shark Bait, to make an animated film about the bear's life.[38] Shah reportedly approached the Berlin Zoo with a €3.5 million film deal.[39] In March 2008 Knut will make his big screen debut in the German film Knut and Friends, a story about bears growing up. He will appear in the film alongside a polar bear family from the Arctic and two brown bears from Belarus.[38]

Environmental causes

Dr. Gerald Uhlich, of the Berlin zoo's board of trustees, stated that because of his vast popularity, Knut has become a means of communication and that he has the ability to "draw attention to the environment in a nice way. Not in a threatening, scolding way."[40] As a result, the German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel officially adopted Knut as the mascot for a conference on endangered species to be held in Bonn in 2008.[40] The minister met with Knut soon after his zoo debut, commenting that although Knut was in safe hands, "worldwide polar bears are in danger and if Knut can help the cause, then that is a good thing."[15]

Photographer Annie Leibovitz took pictures of Knut that were used for an environmental campaign, including Vanity Fair's May 2007 Green Issue in which he was superimposed into a photograph with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio.[41] The polar bear has also been depicted on the logo for the German Environment Minister's campaign against global warming.[28]

References

  1. ^ Moore, Tristana (2007-03-23). "Baby bear becomes media star". BBC. Retrieved 2007-04-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Reprieve for Berlin's Polar Bear Cub: Knut Will Live, Promises Berlin Zoo". Spiegel Online International. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b "Polar Bear Turned Cash Cow; Knut the Business-Bear". Spiegel Online International. 2007-05-11. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Berlin zoo stock leaps as polar bear fever grows". Reuters. 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2007-04-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Berlin Zoo culls creator of the cult of Knut". The Times. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-12-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b "The little polar bear that grew too big for any more cuddles". The Times. 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "He's too cute to bear." The Daily Mirror. 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Knut's Keeper Confesses: 'Sometimes I Could Hurl Him Against the Wall'". Spiegel Online International. 2007-04-11. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Knut's keeper gets medal: Arise, Sir Dörflein". Spiegel Online. 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2007-11-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Berlin Zoo's baby polar bear must die: activists". MSN News. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Berlin rallies behind baby bear". BBC News. 2007-03-20. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Look Out Knut...It's A Zoo Out There". ABC Online. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  13. ^ "For Germans, Knut Is Almost Too Cute to Bear". NPR. 2007-03-24. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Activist to zoo: Wrong to save baby polar bear". MSNBC News. 2007-03-20. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b Chambers, Madeline (2007-03-23). ""Knut Day" in Berlin as polar bear cub goes public". Reuters. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Connolly, Kate (2007-03-24). "Rejected at birth, Knut becomes Berlin zoo's bear essential". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  17. ^ "Knut the polar bear suffers teething pain". MSNBC. 2007-04-16. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Wer will Knut töten?" (in German). Bild.de. 2007-04-19. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Chambers, Madeline (2007-04-19). "Berlin's polar bear cub Knut receives death threat". Reuters. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Connolly, Kate (2007-04-20). "Guards protect Knut after death threat". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "End of an Era Nearing: Knut Steadily Getting Less Cute". Der Spiegel International. 2007-04-30. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "He's Just Knut So Cuddly Anymore!". Sky News. 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Knut the Polar Bear Cub Overshadows the Cub Next Door". WDEF News. 2007-04-18. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Knut Feigning Sore Paw to Get Attention". Spiegel Online. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "Celebrity Polar Bear Knut on a Diet". Guardian Unlimited. 2007-07-31. Retrieved 2007-08-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Berlin Zoo Puts Media Darling Knut on a Diet". Deutsche Welle. 2007-08-01. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Knut is back in the public eye". Independent Online, South Africa. 2007-09-10. Retrieved 2007-09-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ a b "Knut the bear celebrates first birthday with fish cake". AFP. 2007-12-05. Retrieved 2007-12-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Activist to zoo: Wrong to save baby polar bear". MSNBC. 2007-03-20. Retrieved 2007-09-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Sweet as a Knut". Channel Four News. 2007-04-04. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Zammert, Andrea (2007-05-09). "Knut Mania Sweeps the Globe". Business Week. Retrieved 2007-11-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ "Haribo expands Knut gummy bear production". Reuters, UK. Apr 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  33. ^ "Girl releases baby bear song". Newsround Online. BBC. 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2007-04-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  34. ^ "Kitty singt Knut in die Hitparade". Das Bild (in German). Retrieved 2007-04-04.
  35. ^ Grieshaber, Kirsten (2007-04-07). "Germany goes Knuts about the cuddly polar bear cub". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Allen, Kristen (2007-07-26). "Berlin Zoo Introduces Children's Book". Fox News. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "Knut to fight global warming". News.com.au. The Daily Telegraph. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2007-05-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ a b Kate Connolly (2008-01-01). "Coming soon: Knut the Hollywood movie". The Guardian.
  39. ^ "MOVE OVER BRAD PITT: Polar Bear Knut to Become Hollywood Star". Spiegel Online International. 2008-01-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ a b Burke, Jason (2007-05-13). "Knut's a millionaire bear, while he's cuddly". The Observer. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "Vanity Fair May 2007 Table of Contents". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
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