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Payoff ends custody battle over Knut the bear
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFP - Thursday, July  9
BERLIN (AFP) - - Berlin Zoo has agreed to pay 430,000 euros (600,000 dollars) to keep Knut, the polar bear which as a cub became a worldwide media sensation in 2007, it said on Wednesday.
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The cuddly snow-white cub shot to fame after being rejected by its mother, sparking an outpouring of public sympathy that earned Berlin Zoo millions of euros in entrance tickets and lucrative merchandising.
But an animal park in Neumuenster in northern Germany, which is home to Knut's father Lars and claims legal ownership of the star bear, sued Berlin Zoo in an attempt to get its paws on some of the money that Knut generated.
Berlin offered 350,000 euros -- what it called "the going rate for polar bears" -- but Neumuenster wanted 500,000 euros, and the two have agreed on 430,000, the Berlin Zoo said in a statement.
"From the start, we tried to find an amicable settlement over the transfer of Knut to Berlin Zoo and we are pleased that the matter has been brought to an end in a way that is acceptable to both parties," said Peter Druewa from Neumuenster.
"Now Knut is a real Berliner," he added.
In any case, Knut appears to be cheap at twice the price. Speaking at a press conference, Gabriele Thoene from Berlin Zoo said that "about 20 or 30 percent" more punters had come through the turnstiles since Knut shot to fame.
According to press reports, revenues soared by some six million euros in 2007-2008 due to the "Knut effect."
Germany became gripped by Knut mania at the bear's birth in 2006. Rejected by its mother, apparently for no reason, it was kept alive by means of a bottle given by its keeper, who also became a media star but has sinced died.
The cult of Knut spread around the world and its first public appearance attracted some 500 journalists, including around 100 camera crews.
At the height of its fame, Knut featured on the front page of a host of glossy magazines, including Vanity Fair.
Knut is now a strapping adult with animal rights groups saying that all the attention it received has resulted in abnormal behaviour including imitating zoo visitors taking photos.
 
 
 
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 Enlarge Photo
 
Polar bear Knut catches a croissant thrown to him at his snow-covered enclosure at the zoo in Berlin in February 2009. Fresh snowfall is forecast over the next few days. Berlin Zoo has agreed to pay 430,000 euros (600,000 dollars) to keep Knut, the polar bear who as a cub became a worldwide media sensation in 2007, press reports said on Wednesday.
 
 
 
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