The death of Knut, the world’s most famous polar bear in Germany at the weekend has sparked the debate about the ethics of zoos in modern day society.
Knut was born in captivity in Berlin Zoo in December 2006 and, after being rejected by his mother, was placed in an incubator and raised by humans. The story of his abandonment plus his good looks and close relationship with his keeper, Thomas Doerflein, turned him into something of a celebrity.
He was used by the German Government to campaign against the threat of global warning and even appeared, Photo-shopped in, with Leonardo DiCaprio for Vanity Fair's Green Issue in May 2007.
News of his premature death at the weekend (in the wild they live to 30, Knut was just 4) has raised questions about the way Knut was treated and the very fact polar bears are in zoos at all.
Comments Chris Breen, Company Director: “This is a very sad story but it raises legitimate questions about the future of zoos. They have improved beyond all recognition from a few decades ago but Knut would almost certainly have lived a lot longer in the wild. The same can be said about whales being used to entertain crowds in US theme parks; their lives are cut desperately short and the only place for them is in the ocean.
“Zoos can play useful roles – breeding programmes for endangered animals for example – and not everyone is afforded the luxury of being able to travel vast distances to see them But, ideally, the best place to witness these beautiful creatures is in their natural habitat.”
Oceans Worldwide offers a choice of Expedition Voyages to view polar bears including:
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