CHRONOLOGY: Knut the polar bear's life and times

Mar 19, 2011, 17:39 GMT

Berlin - Germany's best-know and best-loved animal, Knut the polar bear, died on Saturday at his home in the Berlin Zoo.

Here are the highlights of his 4-year-old life:

December 5, 2006: Mother polar bear Tosca, aged 20, gives birth to twins at the Berlin Zoo. She ignores her offspring, and one of the cubs dies.

January 22, 2007: The zoo makes public the birth, and the fact that the surviving cub - the first to be born at the zoo in over 30 years - is in an incubator and will be raised by humans. Zookeeper Thomas Doerflein, who takes the role of foster father, names the polar bear Knut.

March 2, 2007: After numerous appearances on local television, Knut becomes a local celebrity.

March 23, 2007: More than 500 journalists attend Knut's first unveiling at the zoo. Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel is in attendance.

March 24, 2007: The public are allowed in to see Knut. He attracts 15,000 visitors on his first day. Media dub the appearance 'The Knut Show.'

April 17, 2007: The Berlin Zoo copyright the Knut brand as a commercial entity. It is thought to have brought in several million euros in the subsequent years.

July 5, 2007: Visitors to Knut's enclosure pass the one-million mark.

July 8, 2007: Knut is growing rapidly, now weighs more than 50 kgs, and according to keeper Doerflein, is becoming dangerous.

July 9, 2007: Knut's living quarters are moved to the rear side of the so-called Bear Mountain, giving him more privacy.

July 19, 2007: After public protests, Knut is moved back to more public display.

October 24, 2007: More than two million visitors have seen Knut.

December 5, 2007: First birthday party for Knut. Keeper Doerflein has made a special cake of ice, fruit and vegetables.

March 6, 2008: Knut becomes a movie star, with the release in Germany of the film, Knut and Friends.

September 22, 2008: Keeper Thomas Doerflein dies in Berlin of a heart attack, aged 44.

September 23, 2009: Knut's first girlfriend - the three-year-old Gianna.

August 3, 2010: Knut a bachelor again. Gianna returns to her home at Munich Zoo.

September 8, 2010: Knut moves back in with father Lars, mother Tosca, and female bears Nancy and Katyusha.

March 19, 2011: Knut is found dead in the water of his enclosure by his new keeper, Heiner Kloes.

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