Why the world can't get enough of bears
March 7, 2017
In March, Fritz the polar bear should have been ready to come outside. On Monday, however, zookeepers found the youngster sullen and staying close to his mother in the enclosure. One day later, he was pronounced dead.
A world-famous bear
Little Fritz had fans all over the world, not just in Germany. After his birth in November 2016, more than 10,000 name suggestions came from all over the globe. Ideas were sent from as far away as South Africa, Japan and New Zealand. In the end, the jury chose Fritz, a typical German name.
Bears: Heroes in film and literature
Like his predecessor Knut, who died in 2011, people around the world were enthusiastic about Fritz's release outdoors after a long winter spent inside. Just why are so many people interested in this furry mammal? Is it because polar bears are cuddly and soft, yet dangerous?
The gallery above, portraying different bears in film and literature, also shows that they symbolize sympathy, too.