Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Zookeeper Thomas Doerflein, who hand-reared Knut, found dead

"Thomas Doerflein, the zookeeper who gained fame for hand-rearing the celebrity polar bear cub Knut, has died of a heart attack. He was 44. Doerflein was found dead in a Berlin apartment on Monday. With the cause of death unclear, an autopsy was conducted and concluded that a heart attack was the cause of death, authorities said. Doerflein gained fame in Germany and beyond as the ever-present caretaker for Knut, abandoned by his mother after his birth in late 2006. Knut became a worldwide sensation when the Berlin Zoo decided to raise him by hand, and Doerflein was on hand at every stage of the bear's growth" - Newsday

No comments: