Green Daily

Remember Knut, the polar bear at the Berlin Zoo who was raised by hand because his mother rejected him? The inspiration for bad techno songs and dozens of letters from second graders, Knut propelled the Berlin Zoo to international attention, and financial stability. Also, a bit of notoriety among animal rights folks, some of whom believed that it was worse for a polar bear to be raised by humans than to die from neglect.

Thomas Doerflein, the keeper who raised Knut, was obviously on the "keep the baby polar bear alive" side of the argument, and selflessly stayed with Knut literally around the clock, feeding him milk and porridge at all hours of the day and night.

The public demand to see Knut was huge -- he was the first polar bear to be born and survive at the Berlin Zoo in over 30 years. Doerflein and Knut performed daily for gigantic crowds, and the pair became an international symbol of conservation.

Sadly, Mr. Doerflein was found dead at his home in Berlin. Although only 44, it is believed that he suffered a heart attack following a prolonged illness. From all reports, he was a private and modest man, who very generously gave his time and energy to a keep a baby polar bear alive. In addition to his friends and family, the Berlin Zoo, millions of fans, and Knut, all will surely miss him.