Thomas Dörflein
German zookeeper with polar bear fame
Born
1963
62 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2008
16 years ago — 45 years old
Category
Artists & Creatives
Country
Germany
Links & References
Worked as a zookeeper at the Berlin Zoo, caring for various animals. Gained international recognition for raising a polar bear cub named Knut after its mother rejected it in 2006. Created programs for public engagement and education about wildlife. Provided round-the-clock care for the cub, which drew significant attention and led to broader discussions about animal welfare in captivity. Knut became a global sensation and was featured in numerous media outlets, significantly raising awareness about polar bears and zoo preservation.
Raised polar bear cub Knut at Berlin Zoo
Increased public interest in animal welfare
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