Knut the polar bear dies in mysterious circumstances

They laid flowers and left messages and cuddly toys as a mark of respect to the four-year-old who became the world’s most famous bear soon after his birth.

‘I can’t comprehend what happened. He was happy before, there were no signs of anything – it’s so shocking,’ said visitor Eveline Litowski.

Knut, who was hand reared at Berlin Zoo after being rejected by his mother shortly after being born, died over the weekend as visitors looked on.


A post-mortem examination is due to take place today to determine the cause of his death as bears can live for more than 20 years in captivity.

Fan clubs sprung up across the globe after the cute white cub’s rejection became headline news.

His supporters were already trading theories about the cause of his demise.

Some speculated he could have been poisoned by food thrown by visitors while others said he became ‘stressed’ by three female bears in the enclosure.