[BabyZee]

Yes for sure the polar bear is a wild animal and I know that the keeper, given the nature of his job knew that, but he and Knut had a special bond which is obvious from just looking at these photos. He was after all with him for the majority of the time after the rejection by his mother and I'm sure that Knut saw him for exactly what he was, a surrogate father and play mate. In my experience animals bought up in this manner, whilst they will always have wild tendancies, are different from their totally wild cousins. Obviously the keeper took his job and feeling of repsonsibility towards Knut very seriously and I doubt that he would have been careless with his own safety. Of course the bear missed him and it's such a shame that the zoo couldn't see fit to help the keeper and the bear become detached from each other over a longer time rather than banning contact altogether. The zoo biologist has already indicated what an asset Mr Doerflein was to the bear and to the zoo, a sad end!

Why does "man" always think he knows best? This was a unique relationship and probably one that would have continued for life. Now we have a possibility of a death caused by depression and a badly effected animal that will suffer for life. As will Mr Doerflein's family. I repeat - why does "man" always think he knows best?

i agree with all these staements above..
Why we humans always claims to know the best when the outcome just bring sadness to all...