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Knut- the Bijou Polar Bear
March 23rd 2007: There has been considerable media debate ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,2041865,00.html ) about a tiny Polar bear cub (Knut) who was rejected at birth by his mother at Berlin Zoo. The bear was considered by the zoo for euthanasia but he has now become a media 'star' with his own webcam and podcast, attracting crowds chanting "Knut is cute, we want Knut" (presumably in German). On the negative side, one might argue that global warming is threatening the survival of the Polar bear in its natural habitats and that zoos may represent one of the only viable ways of conserving this species. Zoos, however, have a very finite capacity and the 'storage space', for what is not a very sociable species is limited (many of the stereotypical behaviours seen in these animals seem to be exacerbated by keeping adult males and females in close proximity outside the mating period). An under-weight cub, rejected by its mother would not survive in nature and might well (even with lavish human attention) fail to thrive in terms of developing normally both physically and behaviourally. Knut may not become a viable Polar bear breeding animal, might be emotionally damaged and could limit the number of viable bears that this zoo can keep. His presence may also actually limit the public (who are clearly transposing human considerations to the situation) understanding of the species and its requirements. On the positive side, one could argue that Knut's 'fame' may make the public more aware of the plight of the polar bear, more willing to adopt 'green' modes of behaviour and more willing to pay taxes to reduce conserve these and other animals. Zoos are generally limited in terms of what they can do by their finances and an animal with such 'pull' can bring in money that might be used for improving environmental enrichment in animal enclosures or even to extend captive breeding and release programmes (although not for Knut).
March 23rd 2007: There has been considerable media debate ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,2041865,00.html ) about a tiny Polar bear cub (Knut) who was rejected at birth by his mother at Berlin Zoo. The bear was considered by the zoo for euthanasia but he has now become a media 'star' with his own webcam and podcast, attracting crowds chanting "Knut is cute, we want Knut" (presumably in German). On the negative side, one might argue that global warming is threatening the survival of the Polar bear in its natural habitats and that zoos may represent one of the only viable ways of conserving this species. Zoos, however, have a very finite capacity and the 'storage space', for what is not a very sociable species is limited (many of the stereotypical behaviours seen in these animals seem to be exacerbated by keeping adult males and females in close proximity outside the mating period). An under-weight cub, rejected by its mother would not survive in nature and might well (even with lavish human attention) fail to thrive in terms of developing normally both physically and behaviourally. Knut may not become a viable Polar bear breeding animal, might be emotionally damaged and could limit the number of viable bears that this zoo can keep. His presence may also actually limit the public (who are clearly transposing human considerations to the situation) understanding of the species and its requirements. On the positive side, one could argue that Knut's 'fame' may make the public more aware of the plight of the polar bear, more willing to adopt 'green' modes of behaviour and more willing to pay taxes to reduce conserve these and other animals. Zoos are generally limited in terms of what they can do by their finances and an animal with such 'pull' can bring in money that might be used for improving environmental enrichment in animal enclosures or even to extend captive breeding and release programmes (although not for Knut).
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