Legendary Animals of Berlin: A Closer Look
Wildly Popular Creatures in Berlin: Keiler Minogue, Adolpho, and Bulette Among Them
Berlin Zoo is home to a variety of fascinating creatures with unique stories behind their names. Here's a brief overview of some of the most memorable animals that have graced the zoo:
1. Amy Schweinhouse
- Who: Amy Schweinhouse was a popular pig in Berlin.
- Story: Named as a playful homage to the late British soul singer Amy Winehouse, Amy Schweinhouse became a beloved figure at a local farm or the Berlin Zoo. The name humorously combines "Schwein" (German for pig) with the singer's surname, creating a catchy, memorable identity for the animal.
2. Knut
- Who: Knut was a famous polar bear at the Berlin Zoo.
- Story: Knut gained international fame when he was rejected by his mother at birth in 2006 and subsequently hand-raised by zookeepers. His touching story resonated with people around the world, making him a symbol of animal rescue efforts and conservation. Knut’s popularity helped increase zoo attendance and awareness about polar bears and their endangered status.
3. Knautschke
- Who: Knautschke was a beloved hippopotamus at the Berlin Zoo.
- Story: The name "Knautschke," which roughly translates to "little wrinkly one" or "crease," fits well with the hippo’s distinctive wrinkled skin. Knautschke became a well-known resident of the zoo, popular among visitors due to its personality and the affectionate nickname given by the public or staff.
4. Benita and Adolpho
- Who: Benita and Adolpho are legendary animals from Berlin, possibly a pair of birds or other animals known for a notable story or relationship.
- Story: These names evoke a pair of animals famous for their bond or a particular tale involving them. The names themselves have a vintage or classical feel, suggesting a legacy story—like a longstanding partnership or romantic connection—that endeared them to the Berlin public or zoo visitors.
Outside of the Berlin Zoo, other fascinating animals have made headlines. For instance, the wildlife enclosure in Revierförsterei Tegelsee recently introduced two wild boars, Keiler Minogue and Amy Schweinhouse, named after the pop singer Kylie Minogue and the late British soul singer Amy Winehouse, respectively.
Another notable event occurred when a sow named Amy Schweinhouse in Tegel gave birth to a piglet named Ziros during a heavy storm in June. The name Ziros was chosen to commemorate the storm that swept over Berlin at the time.
It's also worth mentioning that Knautschke's offspring, Bulette, later became famous in the Berlin Zoo, while Knut's caretaker, Thomas Dörflein, raised him by hand but unfortunately passed away in 2008, followed by Knut's own death in 2011.
Lastly, the railings of the Oberbaum Bridge have collapsed due to the weight of "love locks" in the past, and a columnist counted several hundred such locks on the bridge in Berlin.
In more recent times, the pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing, a special attraction in the Berlin Zoo, had twins named Pit and Paule. However, these pandas returned to China in 2023.
- Some unique animals in Berlin are not limited to the zoo; for instance, a pair of wild boars named Keiler Minogue and Amy Schweinhouse were introduced in the wildlife enclosure at Revierförsterei Tegelsee.
- In terms of lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty, it's interesting to notice that these names for the wild boars were inspired by the pop singer Kylie Minogue and the late British soul singer Amy Winehouse.
- On another note, food-and-drink enthusiasts might appreciate the story of Amy Schweinhouse, a sow in Tegel, who gave birth to a piglet named Ziros during a heavy storm in June, a nod to the weather that swept over Berlin at the time.
- For home-and-garden lovers, it's worth mentioning that Knautschke's offspring, Bulette, became famous in the Berlin Zoo, while Knut's caretaker, Thomas Dörflein, gained his fame but unfortunately passed away in 2008, leaving a void in education-and-self-development for young zookeepers.
- When it comes to travel and entertainment, the pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing, a special attraction in the Berlin Zoo, had twins named Pit and Paule. However, these pandas had to return to China in 2023.
- In the realm of general-news, sports, and casino-and-gambling, the railings of the Oberbaum Bridge have collapsed due to the weight of "love locks" in the past, causing a stir in the city and questions for bridge maintenance and safety protocols.
