To be sure, they really don’t want to do this — it’s all truly in the interests of the bear. Knut will be two years old tomorrow — and he’s ready to mate. All this adds up to the need for a larger polar bear compound; something the zoo simply cannot afford. From the article,

“A new compound and the acquisition of a mate would cost the zoo more than £7 million; too much in a belt-tightening era. Knut’s high-earning days, as the star of feature and documentary films, as the subject of a dozen pop songs and as the standard-bearer of the environmental movement, have faded. ‘It’s simply too much money. We cannot afford a third group of polar bears in such economically strained times,’ a zoo manager said. The senior bear keeper, Heiner Kloes, agreed. ‘It’s time for him to go – the sooner he gets a new home the better,’ he said. ‘Anything else would be financially irresponsible.’”

Still — there may be a bright spot to Knut’s impending sale. One of the possible suitors is an animal refuge in Norway. Forget the zoos! The best Hollywood ending to Knut’s topsy-turvy career may just be a place where he can stretch his legs and retire in peace and quiet. No doubt we’ll want him in a good place when he writes his memoirs.

via Times Online

The chorus is still stuck in my head. Taunting me.

via greendaily

Steve Martin once said while hosting the Academy Awards in 2005, “I love welcoming the young stars to show business because it reminds me of my own death.”

Not that Knut the famous climate change polar bear needs to be thinking about his own mortality at such a young age, but the competition is certainly stepping up to the plate — and if the Nuremberg Zoo has anything to say about it, his best days are long past. From the article,

“Flocke, born Dec. 11 and then rejected by her mother, made her public debut at the Nuremberg zoo just as interest in the Berlin zoo’s now fully grown polar bear sensation, Knut, seems to be waning. Aware of Knut’s star power, the zoo quickly set up its own polar bear cub Web site with regular updates — Flocke is a girl; Flocke’s eyes open; Flocke learns to swim; Flocke walks on grass, for example — accompanied with photos and video for her adoring fans.”

The Nuremberg Zoo is also stepping up attacks on Knut with posters advertising the new cub coming with the headline “Knut was yesterday.” Oh, snap!

Additionally, they have plans to make Flocke the new symbol of climate change. Said Zoo director Dag Encke, “Flocke is no more a polar bear, but Flocke is not a person — Flocke is an obligation, or a window into an obligation.”

Others believe Flocke will do well, but are quick to remind who came first. “Knut has the advantage of being a media star: He was the first,” said teacher Ulrike Robel who had taken her class to see the 330 pound bear. “Flocke is sweet, but she’s No. 2. I think that matters.”

As we mentioned on April 1st, Knut’s going to work hard to improve his game — and stave off the competition. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping an eye on Flocke.

Even more disturbing, it appears that Knut was caught hurling species-related slurs while stumbling out of his vehicle. “He pretty much condemned the human race and said we were destroying his homeland,” Pazzo continued. “It was then that he offered to hook me up with DiCaprio if I would let him off with a ticket. Too bad for him, I’m a Johnny Depp fan.”

As a child-actor, Knut rose to fame by appearing as a symbol of climate change. After a string of magazine cover appearances, book deals, and movie contracts, the pressures of Hollywood really started to take a toll. “I just could not believe how much weight he gained in such a short period of time,” exclaimed former trainer Madge Prisney. “From a cuddly 30lbs to over 250lbs in just one year! It’s hard to watch.”

Knut is currently being held in an undisclosed location until law officials figure out the next course of action. “He’ll need rehab for sure,” added officer Pazzo. “And you can bet those people from True Hollywood Story are going to come calling. If I were him, I’d just catch the next iceberg out of town.”

It’s worth noting that today is April 1st.

[UPDATE] Congrats to Summer from BTC Elements on this week’s winning entry! A copy of The Green Book is coming your way. Honorable Mention: Knut — “What’s with you and icebergs?  [suggested by AZ_Sun over on the 11th Hour Action Blog]

Ah, remember the good old days when Knut was only a cuddly little guy and not a giant 245lb bear with movie deals and rumors of Suri Cruise representing his voice? For the 2007 green issue of Vanity Fair magazine, Leonardo DiCaprio and Knut shared the cover while hanging out on some drifting ice. Your mission is to give these guy some conversation material. To see our winning entry from last week’s caption between Al Gore and Richard Branson, click here. The winner gets a copy of The Green Book.

Ed Begley Jr. has conquered the television world with his hit series Living With Ed, and is now set to strike out into publication with the new book Living Like Ed. As expected, this how-to will cover all aspect of going green — from transportation, recycling, energy, food, and clothing. Wife Rachelle also pens some portions of the book to offer some Yin to Begley’s Yang. [via amazon]

Like most family disputes in the Hollywood circle, this one revolves around money — and a polar bear. Apparently, Knut the Polar Bear — the wildly successful ’symbol of climate change’ that’s been on the cover of magazines, has his own book, and recently sold movie rights — is being asked to dish over some of the $15 million he’s made. The zoo that owns his bio-dad, Lars, says it deserves that cash, while the Berlin Zoo where Knut currently resides, says that’s a bunch of bull. Neither side is backing down. We’re sorry Knut. But if it helps, Macaulay Culkin had the same trouble with his parents and he turned out OK. Kind of. [via newser]

It was only a matter of time.

After wooing the world with books, magazine covers, and irresistibly cute photos, Knut the polar bear is now being offered a movie deal. The 245lb “symbol of climate change” is currently going through contract negotiations with Hollywood producer Ash R. Shah. The Berlin Zoo is acting on behalf of the bear and sources close to the deal say something in the realm of $5 million is being thrown around for the rights to the animal’s story. From the article,

“The zoo has confirmed local media reports that it is in talks with a Hollywood producer. ‘We are delighted about the interest from Hollywood. It’s unclear when we will sign the contracts. Some details have yet to be sorted out,’ zoo director Bernhard Blaszkiewitz told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. The film will also address the fate of Knut’s brethren living in the wild as global warming threatens their Arctic habitats, Berlin newspapers say.”

Even more bizarre, Shah is pushing hard to have 18-month-old Suri Cruise (daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) be the voice of Knut. We’re placing bets that Suri Cruise would lend her talents to the cuddly 50lb version and not the 245lb present day mega-bear. Said Shah,

“With (Knut’s) friendly character, he’s serves as an ambassador for the Earth’s problems — climate change and the melting polar ice caps. A movie about Knut would affect people all over the world. Suri could speak the English voice of Knut.”

If this guy thinks polar bears are friendly, he should get in a cage with a few. Can Suri even say complete sentences yet? Or is this going to be a point and speak affair. “Sun” “CO2″ “Bad”

Nevermind, it’ll make millions.

Knut, the baby polar bear that killed people with cuteness and became a symbol of global warming campaigns, has celebrated his first birthday. Over 700 people jammed into the Berlin zoo to watch the now 245lb bear snack on a birthday cake made from 300 eggs and 20 pounds of marzipan.

Just like mom used to make.

via ABC News