TWO zoos in Germany are preparing for a legal battle over the millions raised by Knut the polar bear.
Neumuenster Zoo in northern Germany owns the bear's father, Lars, and says it is the legal owner of his first offspring – Knut – under a deal made with Berlin Zoo, where the cub was born in 2006.
It is now going to court to force Berlin Zoo to di
sclose how much Knut has generated in proceeds, part of a first step in its bid for a slice of the Knut goldmine.
Berlin Zoo has said it recognises Neumuenster's ownership in principle but that it has no right to any proceeds from the polar bear's huge success.
Knut, raised by hand in Berlin after his mother rejected him at birth, became a media phenomenon last year. Berlin Zoo had a 27 per cent rise in visitors last year compared with 2006, and had a 2007 profit of 6.8 million (£5.4 million). It has licensing deals for various Knut products, including soft toys, T-shirts, mugs and DVDs.
However, his appeal may be waning a little – Knut now weighs more than 24st and has the teeth and claws to match.
Peter Druewa, the director of Neumuenster Zoo, said it had unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with Berlin Zoo but had now turned to a court in Berlin for a ruling.
"We do not want to remove Knut from his environment," he said. "But we have a right to our request for money."
The full article contains 256 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
