The Abrupt End

The entire nation immersed in sorrow in September 2008 when the news regarding the death of Knut’s keeper came out. Dörflein was found dead at his friend’s apartment. The death was sudden. According to reports the cause of death could have been either heart attack or cancer. At the time of death, the keeper was only 44 years old. Berlin’s BZ (Berlin Zoo) newspaper stated, “Everyone wanted to be like Thomas Dörflein, he not only cared for Knut; he nurtured our desire to see harmony between man and beast.” On the other hand, Klaus Wowereit the then mayor of Berlin called the demise of Dörflein a “great loss.” He had been working in the zoo for 26 years.