Polar express' Knut, a loser in love?

Berlin: Knut, the polar bear in Berlin's zoo that shot to global fame as a cub, is reportedly being bullied by a trio of older females, causing the country's media to worry about the superstar's love life.



ease me baby...

A polar bear sticks out its tongue on a rock in its enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin, October 19, 2010.

German newspapers reported today that the world famous polar bear Knut (not seen) is being bullied by his fellow polar bears in their enclosure in the Berlin zoological garden.



Lolling in the sun

Two polar bears rest on a rock in their enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin.

"Knut, the public's favourite, has become a heap of misery," said Germany's mass-selling daily Bild. "Instead of enjoying himself with the three ladies, he cowers fearfully in a corner," added the more staid Sueddeutsche Zeitung.



Bottom's up!

Polar bear Knut dives in the pond in his enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin.

For several weeks, the three-year-old bear has shared his zoo enclosure with his mother, Tosca, and two other females, Nancy and Katjuscha.



Stick your neck out

Polar bear Knut swims in his enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin.

Hopes that Knut might form a romantic attachment with one of the females appear to have been dashed as stories emerged of violent maulings.



Knut meets Knut

Polar bear Knut interacts with a visitor and her cushy polar bear "Knut" at the Berlin zoo.

One video posted online showed Katjuscha hurling herself at Knut's throat, in an apparent attempt to bite him, before tipping him into the water.



Strike a pose

"These sad images of Knut are pulling the heartstrings of people around the world," said Bild.
But Heiner Kloes, Knut's keeper, downplayed the affair, telling AFP it was "only two minutes in the life of a bear."



Photgrapher's delight

This 3-picture combo shows Polar bear Knut interacting with a visitor at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin.

"It was a small altercation that is completely normal among bears," he said, underlining that the four bears were still getting used to living together.



Scratch 'em out!

"For the time being, Knut is not yet an adult male and doesn't yet know how to get respect like his father did. But day by day, he is imposing himself and with time, this type of problem will go away," he said.

Source: AFP
Images: AFP Photo