Knut was a polar bear born in captivity at the Berlin Zoological Garden on December 5, 2006. He was the first polar bear cub to survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo in over three decades. His unique circumstances at birth would soon draw worldwide attention to the young cub.
His Unprecedented Rise to Global Stardom
Knut’s mother, Tosca, a 20-year-old former circus performer, rejected him and his twin brother shortly after their birth; the twin cub died just a few days later. This led to the controversial decision by zookeepers to hand-rear Knut. Zookeeper Thomas Dörflein took on the primary caregiving role, bottle-feeding the cub and spending extensive time with him.
Images and videos of Dörflein interacting with the cub quickly circulated globally. This intense media coverage rapidly escalated into “Knutmania,” transforming the cub into a global celebrity. Public fascination led to a significant increase in revenue for the Berlin Zoo, estimated at €5 million in 2007, making it their most profitable year in 163 years.
His Life and Tragic Passing
After his initial fame, Knut grew and was integrated into the main polar bear enclosure with other bears. Zoo officials stated they did everything to care for Knut, noting it is normal for polar bears in a zoo setting to live with others to learn social behaviors.
On March 19, 2011, at just four years old, Knut died. Hundreds of visitors watched as he began spinning in circles, appeared to lose control of a back leg, and then collapsed into the pool, where he drowned. His sudden death caused an international outpouring of grief, with fans leaving flowers and mementos at the zoo.
Subsequent investigations and a detailed post-mortem revealed the cause of death. Knut suffered from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, an autoimmune disease previously known to occur only in humans. This condition causes the immune system’s antibodies to attack nerve cells in the brain, leading to symptoms like loss of balance, involuntary movements, and seizures. Pathologists determined the brain damage was so severe that he would have died even if he had not drowned.
Knut’s Enduring Legacy
Knut’s story left a lasting impact. He became an unexpected ambassador for climate change awareness and polar bear conservation, highlighting the plight of a species threatened by habitat loss.
His case also brought animal welfare in zoos and the ethics of hand-rearing into public discussion. Knut’s life underscored the complex relationship between humans and wildlife, particularly in managed environments.