Two weeks after the death of 4-year-old Knut the polar bear at the Berlin Zoo, another large animal has died at the same zoo.

A necropsy performed on Knut after his sudden death revealed the bear likely died of drowning after falling into a pool in his enclosure. However, Knut’s fatal plunge was likely precipitated by an underlying encephalitic infection, causing inflammation of the brain. Experts say it was likely Knut would not have survived the infection had he not fallen into the water and drowned.

It seems infection could have lead to the death of an elephant at the zoo today. Shaina Pali, a six-year-old elephant, has died and infection has been pegged a likely cause in the animal’s death. Berlin Zoo spokeswoman Claudia Bienek would only comment to say Shaina Pali’s death was “simply very, very sad.” Typically, elephants can live up to 80 years in captivity. A necropsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

[Image]

Second large animal dies at Berlin Zoo is a post from: The Inquisitr

Remember Knut the Polar Bear? In March 2007 the world focused on Germany after environment activists called on Knut to be put down after he was rejected by his mother. Knut survived, and went on to become the worlds most popular polar bear, and a huge hit for the Berlin Zoo.

Fast forward to the end of 2008 and the economic turmoil across the world means that Knut, now not so cute and cuddly no longer has a home. It’s time for Knut to find a mate, but the Berlin Zoo can’t afford an estimated $13 million to acquire an appropriate female and construct a new compound for them to share.

“It’s time for him to go – the sooner he gets a new home the better,” said senior bear keeper Heiner Kloes, quoted in The Times.

“Anything else would be financially irresponsible.”

Berliners though aren’t very happy, and are mounting a campaign to keep Knut, collecting petition signatures and arguing that he’s a crucial tourist draw and a symbol as important as the Brandenburg Gate.

“He means a lot to many people. When you’re with him you forget your problems for a little while,” Hartmut Wiedenroth, co-founder of the Knut Forever in Berlin campaign, told Spiegel Online via Canada.com.

Sad: Economic Crisis claims Knut the Polar Bear is a post from: The Inquisitr