Knut being kicked out by Berlin Zoo
After making millions of dollars for the Berlin Zoo, Knut is being kicked out. Why? Because he is no longer a cub so he needs a larger habitat. The Berlin zoo, who gladly reaped the rewards of Knut’s fame, says it can’t afford to build a larger enclosure (habitat) for the bear.
Knut, who received millions of visitors, also made millions of dollars for the zoo from merchandise including stuffed animals, books and movie deals. Knut was a money cow, um I mean bear. He could do no wrong — when he was a cub. Now, as he ages and grows bigger, he needs different care and the zoo is not willing to do that.
One good thing has come from this announcement. That is that more people are now aware that most zoos acquire baby animals to draw crowds. Then, when the animals grow into adults — surprise, surprise — they routinely kill them if they can not place them in another zoo. They even sell the body parts — heads and hides.
Photograph: Soeren Stache/EPA
Knut is lucky — he is famous and killing him would create a media nightmare for the zoo and a huge public outcry. In fact, the public is already raising their voices demanding that Knut be kept as the city’s mascot.
I’ll follow the story and let you know what happens.
Bear hugs, Frankie
If you want to know what you can do to protect polar bears and other endangered species, contact The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) at National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
BEARS: The 8 Wonders of the World
Giant Pandas – Cute, Adorable and Endangered
Teddy Bears Galore