Polar bear Knut's keeper dies

The zookeeper who became famous for hand-rearing Knut the polar bear was found dead in his Berlin apartment today.

Police said they did not know how Thomas Doerflein, 44, died.

He gained fame around the world last year as the personal caretaker for Knut, Berlin Zoo’s most famous resident.

Knut became a sensation when the zoo decided to hand-raise him because he had been rejected by his mother.

Mr Doerflein was inseparable from the growing polar bear and often frolicked with Knut in his enclosure.

In July last year the zoo’s director banned him from playing with Knut because the bear had grown too large.