German zoos in custody battle over ‘Cute Knut’
Two German zoos went to court Tuesday in a custody battle over “Cute Knut”, the celebrity polar bear who has generated millions of euros in revenue.
Berlin Zoo, where Knut was born and has lived since his birth, has rejected Neumunster Zoo’s claim to a share of the estimated €10m generated by the polar bear in entrance fees and merchandising revenue.
Berlin Zoo borrowed Knut’s father, Lars, from Neumunster in 1999. According to zoo convention, Lars’ firstborn also belongs to Neumunster. Now the zoo is demanding a share of the spoils or custody of the bear.
Neumunster has already rejected one offer from Berlin Zoo Director Bernhard Blaskiewitz who said: “Give them a few penguins and let that be an end to it.”
Knut is believed to be the highest grossing real life bear of all time, even appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair. He shot to fame after being abandoned by his mother and hand reared by zookeepers.
A judge Wednesday gave the zoos two months to settle the matter.
[...] to the zoo since his cuddly looks made him a global star in 2007. He was even the subject of a court battle between Berlin and Neumunster Zoo, home to Knut’s father, which demanded custody of the [...]