Knut, the world's most famous polar bear, is off the scales after eating too many snacks and has been put on a diet. The Berlin Zoo said Knut's handlers have been told to stop feeding him extra rations of croissant, fish and meat.
Polar bear superstar Knut, whose celebrity has waned since he stopped being a cute cub, has been put on a diet because he is getting too fat, the Berlin Zoo announced on Tuesday.
"Knut has become noticeably round," zoo vet Andreas Ochs said. "So we shall be feeding him restrictively."
That means no more croissants and extra portions of fish and meat for the shaggy youngster, who turns eight months on August 5.
He is now believed to weigh around 60 kilograms but the zoo can't be sure exactly because its scales only go to 50 kilos.
Ochs said Knut's helpers will make sure he doesn't snatch any extra rations from the kitchen table or from baskets while he watches them prepare his dishes.
Being a few pounds overweight is common among zoo animals because they don't get to move around as much as in the wild. Berlin's lions and tigers are forced to fast for one or two days each week to prevent them getting too chubby.
"We can't do that with Knut because he's still growing," said Ochs.
Polar bear superstar Knut, whose celebrity has waned since he stopped being a cute cub, has been put on a diet because he is getting too fat, the Berlin Zoo announced on Tuesday.
"Knut has become noticeably round," zoo vet Andreas Ochs said. "So we shall be feeding him restrictively."
That means no more croissants and extra portions of fish and meat for the shaggy youngster, who turns eight months on August 5.
He is now believed to weigh around 60 kilograms but the zoo can't be sure exactly because its scales only go to 50 kilos.
Ochs said Knut's helpers will make sure he doesn't snatch any extra rations from the kitchen table or from baskets while he watches them prepare his dishes.
Being a few pounds overweight is common among zoo animals because they don't get to move around as much as in the wild. Berlin's lions and tigers are forced to fast for one or two days each week to prevent them getting too chubby.
"We can't do that with Knut because he's still growing," said Ochs.
