Knut the polar bear – 2010s

At Berlin’s Zoologischer Garten, the story of Knut, the polar bear, remains one of the city’s most remarkable animal tales. Born on December 5, 2006, Knut was rejected by his mother and had to be hand-raised by zookeepers, a rare survival in the zoo’s history where no polar bear cub had lived past infancy for over 30 years.

From a young age, Knut became a global sensation. His playful behavior and unusual story captured media attention, earning him fans worldwide and turning the zoo into a major attraction. In 2007 alone, visitor numbers rose by about 30%, and “Knutmania” led to books, merchandise, and documentaries celebrating his life. Knut’s life was tragically short. On March 19, 2011, he unexpectedly collapsed in his enclosure and drowned in the pool. Later investigations revealed that he suffered from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disease previously only observed in humans.

Knut’s case marked the first known occurrence of the condition in a non-human animal (science.org). Despite his early death, Knut’s impact continued. In October 2012, the zoo unveiled a bronze statue titled Knut – The Dreamer, commemorating his life. A life-size model made from his original fur was also displayed at the Museum of Natural History in Berlin, allowing visitors to remember him up close.