Polar Bear Riles German Zoos

The world’s favorite polar bear is at the center of a nasty legal custody battle between two German zoos. Neumunster Zoo, which owns legendary Knut, says they are owed a share of the profits that the Berlin Zoo—where the bear was born and remains today—made from the loveable bear. The Berlin Zoo offered to buy Knut, but for only 350,000 euros, a paltry sum in the eyes of Neumunster. The drama started when Neumunster loaned Knut’s father to Berlin on the condition that they would own his first cub. But when Knut was hand-reared after his mother rejected him he became a worldwide celebrity, and is now a cash cow (or rather, bear) for Berlin. In 2007 alone he brought in $6.7 million for the zoo.