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Au Revoir! Flocke Flees For France

PetSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:06 -0700

With all the talk of Knut and his Italian mate, Gianna, it seems the world had nearly forgotten about that other totally adorable (maybe even more so?) polar bear. That is, until now.

Nuremberg Zoo's Flocke, who turns two this December, departs Deutschland for France come early 2010. Along with Rasputin, the young male bear pal who joined her last year, they move to a zoo in Antibes so their old space in Germany can hold future bears. Don't worry about this matchup, the two bears "get along famously" already.

See more pics of Flocke when you read more.

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Gianna's in Berlin, First Date With Knut Coming Soon!

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:35:07 -0700

Over a month ago, this pretty Polar Bear made the news as the future romantic interest (hopefully) of Knut the cute. Hailing from Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo, she's now on display in Berlin and ready for her love connection.

The 2-year-old gal will explore the enclosure of the world-famous bear, but they will not meet face-to-face until special measures are implemented. Knut's never encountered another animal since his mama cast him aside as a cub. A "canoodling fence" will eventually separate them, and if the sparks are there then this duo will join forces in one spot. Sweet.

See more of Gianna learning the lay of the land when you read more.

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Love Is in the Air! Knut the Cute Gets a Mate

PetSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:45:56 -0700

All we need is love, love as Knut the cute is getting his very own girlfriend. Check out this stunning 2-year-old polar bear, Gianna. Originally from Italy, she's currently in a zoo in Munich but will be joining Knut soon!

The famous orphaned cub lost his human BFF after suffering rejection from his beary parent, and rumors have it the big bear is now lonely and possibly depressed. Sad. Hopefully his new signorina can keep him company, frolic and play, and pose for (many, many, many) piccys. I'm already hearing the pitter patter of little bear feet - that's amore!

See more pictures when you read more.

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You Can't Buy Knut, But You Can Buy a Polar Bear Bookshelf!

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:00:52 -0700

I am all about polar bears (obviously), but I'm not sure how I'd feel about shoving this nearly four foot tall Polar Bear Book Shelf I found on Outblush into my apartment. Although come to think of it, it would be about the size of a baby Knut, would it not? Humm - like having my very own baby polar be . . . ah who am I kidding.

Designed by iBride (pronounced e-breed), they are a family based firm out of France that whips up environmentally focused art and design that features animals of all kinds. But, even if this polar bear bookshelf did scream "Must Have", I couldn't bring myself to add it to the list. It's $6000 dollars. Yup, that's three zeros. It sure is cool though, right?

Quick-Thinking Zookeepers Save Woman From Hungry Bears

PetSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:35:11 -0700

Last Friday, a 32-year-old woman leaped a fence and scaled a wall to jump into a Berlin Zoo enclosure holding four polar bears (including Knut). Six zookeepers attempted to distract the bears, but she was still bitten several times by one of the creatures. Even though it was their normal feeding time, she was able to be pulled out safely – minus those injuries – and was rushed to the hospital for surgery. Now after my initial shock, I flashbacked to a similar situation that so disturbed me as a child, that I instantly recalled that story when hearing this one. Learn what stuck in my head some 22 years later, when you read more.

In 1987, three kids broke into the Brooklyn's Prospect Park Zoo after dark, and attempted to swim in the polar bears' moat. One child was attacked by the bears, locals called police when hearing yells but, by the time the officials arrived, the animals had eaten both his legs . . . and the officers shot and killed both bears. As a child, I was unable to comprehend most of this situation, including why they still killed Teddy and Lucy. Now, I assume we'll hear more about this 32-year-old woman's motives in coming weeks, but I commend the Berlin Zoo's quick-thinking keepers to attempt to save this women without instantly harming the bears in the process.

Wenn.com

Knut's Still Without a Home, Yet Still a Ham

PetSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:15:00 -0800

Say it isn't so! Knut's allegedly up for grabs (or something) as there's been talk in recent months about the world's most famous polar bear needing a new home. The time's coming for him to find a mate, and there simply may not be enough room for him and a new fertile female at Zoo Berlin.While it's still uncertain if Knut the Cute's days at his German zoo are numbered, I bet no matter where this bear goes, the cameras are sure to follow. He's just so adoro playing with toys, water, and more this season (like his Polar Bear brethren around the world).

You know you wanna see Knut sticking out his tongue and batting a deflated soccer ball so check this out and more when you read more.

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Happy Second Birthday, Knut the Cute!

PetSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:05:18 -0800

The fella I'd name the world's most famous polar bear (followed by Flocke) celebrates his second birthday today at Zoo Berlin! That means Knut got even more visitors than usual . . . and a special dessert. 'Cause, really, what's a birthday without cake and ice cream? Of course, bears can't eat chocolate buttercream (my fave), so his "cake" was made of vegetable in ice – well, I bet he enjoyed it anyway.

This bear's faced some tough times from dealing with fame to the death of his BFF and original caretaker, Thomas Doerflein earlier this year but he's doing a-OK now.

Check out more piccys of Knut's birthday celebration and read more.

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The Scoop: Accelerated Ice Melt Threatens Life in the Arctic

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:00:35 -0700

Not only does the ice help regulate the earth's temperature, but it also sustains life by giving access to food to many Arctic creatures. Unfortunately, with the ice shelf melting at an alarming rate (about 10 percent per decade), it's having a deadly effect on the Polar Bears native to the region. Kassie Siegel, staff attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity explains:

The Arctic sea ice melt is a disaster for the polar bears. They are dependent on the Arctic sea ice for all of their essential behaviors, and as the ice melts and global warming transforms the Arctic, polar bears are starving, drowning, even resorting to cannibalism because they don't have access to their usual food sources.

But the Arctic ice melt doesn't just affect residents of the north. See how this will affect us here in the US, just read more.

Melting of the Arctic ice not only effects our temperature, but it also means a change in the weather patterns. It could mean less rain for us . . . which means lower crop production. Experts say that the Arctic could be ice free during the Summer within the next five years! Although it's debated that this climate change is a natural occurrence, I'm frightened to see what that Earth would look like without our Arctic friends so soon!

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Flocke Doesn't Need Fancy Props to Be Super-Cute

PetSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:30:47 -0700

Flocke didn't kick the bucket (literally), but boy did she have some fun with one. The hands-down winner of the cutest polar bear poll turned 8 months old today. While I loved her divine dancing skills, I also can't get enough of her playing with DIY toys over in Nuremberg Zoo - hey, there's no need for fancy props with a face that adoro.

Check out more cuteness when you read more.

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The Scoop: Pet Psychic Says Knut Is Unhappy

PetSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:00:52 -0700

Knut, your (second) favorite polar bear was checked out by a psychic and says it's not all good news - the cuddly white one's quick rise to the top, and all that media attention has left him with a heavy heart! Anna Katinka Witte, a well known German pet psychic who analyzed Knut's photo for a German newspaper last week, says that Knut isn't exactly feeling his best:

"He has a lot on his mind. Right now he's not doing particularly well. Knut somehow knows that he is special, but he's not exactly sure what that means."

Additionally, Witte says that Knut not only has a busy mind but could also be suffering from digestive problems and a bum right leg! Poor Knut! Although a majority of you says you don't believe in pet psychics, I still hope Knut's handlers make sure his tummy and leg are a-okay!

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