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The people of Berlin traditionally love their Zoo and its animals. Many of the elderly remember the outstanding directors Oskar Heinroth and his wife Katharina who gallantly fought for the livelihood of the merely 91 animals that survived the carnage of the bombings of World War II. Unfaltering, she strived to rebuild animal shelters and securing food and materials. The Heinroth’s last resting place is on the Zoo grounds. In those dreadful post-war years, especially the Berlin children developed close ties to the animals, for years pitching in by, among other things, collecting acorns for food. Unforgotten and embedded in our hearts are animals such as Knautschke the hippopotamus (one of the 91 war survivors), his daughter Bulette, the hand-raised Gorilla Bokito, Johnny the Chimpanzee, just to name a few.
And then there is KNUT! Within only a short time, he managed to spread that certain magic not just over Berlin, but all over the world. Thousands of visitors from countries as far away as USA, Canada, Venezuela, Hongkong and many others came and are still coming to Berlin just to see him. Many bringing their children, some just spending the day.
His visitors bravely withstand rain, snow and storms just to see him. Knut has given people the feeling of warmth and hope in these often trying days. He is only a little over two year old but like no one or nothing before, he has managed to make the centrally located Berlin Zoo, Berlin and the Berliners known to the world. Our mayor once said that people abroad may not know his name, but everybody asks how Knut is. If you ever yearn to see smiling and relaxed faces, visit Knut!
Because of Knut, wonderful friendships developed between people all over the world, and people became close with people they would have never met without him.
This little bear has managed to positively affect and touch the hearts of so many world-wide. Ask any of his friends, nearly everyone has a story to tell.
Like no other polar bear before, little Knut roused the curiosity of people. They now seek information, take a sudden interest in the possible effects of a climate change and even participate in conservatory measures.
Now we have to help Knut to be allowed to continue living in the Berlin Zoo. To mature together with a young partner, in a modern enclosure with enrichment programs and lots of toys. And to grow old where he was born. More than that, we also want to give today’s children, who still look at him so lovingly, the chance to bring their children to see Knut. To be able to tell them his story and enjoy him together. Tell them the story of a beautiful little polar bear whose poor disturbed mother would not nurse him and left him to die. The story of his deceast human foster dad who invested a great deal of time and deep feelings in him and taught him everything a little polar bear needs to know. The story of a facetious little polar bear who grew up to be a big, gentle, charming and unique polar bear. A bear who grew up in the zoo where he was born which was made possible with the help of his friends from home and abroad.
Knut has been accustomed to humans since birth. Firstly to his beloved keeper and secondly to the millions of people who come to see him. He will always need the attention and the warmth of humans. The interaction with his audience enlivens him, even makes him inventive in finding new ways to draw attention and applause. 2.5 million visitors per year translate into pure joy for our bear! This is his birth place, this is where he belongs. Should we just look on as he is torn from his usual surrounding (as told again and again), he would be without his life substance. He would become merely one polar bear among many. Might become depressive, show signs of abnormal behaviour become a problem bear or just simply wither away without the humans he is so used to.
He could not bear that and, neither could we!
Knut needs us and we need Knut!!
Please support our intiative „Knut forever in Berlin“. Sign up now and more than that, become his ambassador and collect signatures for him.
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