Photo Gallery Knut through the Ages
It's hard to believe but Knut, Germany's celebrity polar bear, will be two this Friday. He made his public debut back in December, 2006 to throngs of adoring fans and media at the Berlin Zoo. His eager fans chanted "We want Knut! We want Knut!"
Knut weighed just 810 grams at the time of his birth, and he had to gain at least 10 times that before he could meet his Berlin fans. The zoo waited until he weighed 9 kilograms (about 19 pounds) and for a little sun before presenting him.
Knut explored the outside bear enclosure on his first day "out."
Knut's popularity ended up providing the Berlin Zoo with a massive windfall, bringing in an extra 5 million.
Knut's twin brother died after birth, but Knut has survived -- one of 35 successful attempts worldwide to rescue infant polar bears rejected by their mothers. During the 1950s, the zoo successfully raised a polar bear baby, and zoos in the German cities of Frankfurt and Münster have also had success stories.
Some animal rights activists warned that, having been raised by Dörflein, Knut had become too human, and that he should have been put down rather than raised against the laws of nature.
But through most of his youth, Knut has seemed like a pretty happy little fellow, playing with sticks and frolicking in the water.
Hey! I thought I was the only polar bear cub in Berlin Zoo!
Baby Knut takes a nibble at a twig. There's a lot to learn about the world when you're a three-month-old polar bear.
Knut likes his blankie.
Knut enjoys a roll around in his blankie.
Rarrrgh! Knut learned slowly that he is, in fact, a bear.
Knut was always desperate for attention. Knut's surrogate father, Dörflein, who suddenly died earlier this year, raised Knut by hand.
Knut and Thomas enjoyed a good rapport...
... even if Knut could be a naughty little bear sometimes.
Knut traded on his undeniable cuteness to become a mega-celebrity in Germany's animal universe.
As Knut has gotten older, he isn't quite as adorable as he used to be.
But his goofiness and personality still make him a sensation.
Knut has revealed himself to be especially fond of mud. Sometimes it's hard to tell he's a polar bear at all!
Knut wearily approaches his birthday cake on the occaision of his first birthday, on Dec. 5, 2007.
Here is Knut on Dec. 3, 2008. His second birthday is just two days away. It might be his last spent in Berlin.
