Memories of a beloved keeper and his polar bears

22.9.2017 by Mervi

Today it’s exactly nine years ago Thomas Dörflein had to leave us. Earlier this week we even received the sad news of Lars passing. This memory page is dedicated to the magic family of three polar bears and their keeper.

The photos don’t need so many comments …. they bring back bitter sweet memories for us all.

Little Knut was so happy when TD came back from his vacation.

A chat between Knut and his stepfather

The early hours in the Autumn

Once there were five polar bears in the Berlin Zoo. What happy days they were!

Lars lived together with Tosca, Nancy and Katjuscha. Now only Kati is left ….

It was fantastic to see the interaction between Lars and TD. I can still hear ‘Lars hoch’ …..

Viktor made this picture of Lars and Knut. There’s a difference in size but not in looks.

This is one of the loveliest moments of Knut’s childhood. His stepfather brought him to meet Lars – the biological father.