[Mrluvaluva]

Update from Sky News

Knut, the young polar bear who is now famous around the world, has found a 'sole' mate in his German minder.

Thomas Doerflein has clearly bonded closely with the animal celebrity who still attracts thousands of visitors each day to his compound at Berlin Zoo.

Knut become a global sensation when he survived rejection by his mother Tosca after being born six months ago.

Knut had to be hand fed by Doerflein after Tosca refused to fulfill her maternal obligations.

Knut and a twin brother had been left exposed to freezing temperatures shortly after they were born.

His brother died so the zoo intervened to save the survivor.

It was a suggestion that the cub should be put down to stop him becoming emotionally and physically reliant on humans that put Knut and the zoo in the spotlight.

Other experts said polar bears are lonesome creatures so spending several years without the company of other bears would not be a problem.

He now weighs more than 28 kg (62lb), his snout is longer, his torso chunkier and teeth sharper.

Which could be a problem if anyone other that his keeper gets up close and personal.

Doerflein, who for months slept in Knut's enclosure to feed him milk and porridge through the night, still rolls on the ground with the cub in his twice daily shows and lets him bite his fingers.

"He's just playing and it doesn't hurt, it just pinches a bit. It only hurts when he gets angry," said Doerflein, who already has a few bruises.

Knut's recently learned how to swim and Doerflein takes him for a walk round the zoo every morning to build up his muscles.