Going to the zoo is supposed to be a joyful experience.
But one spring day in 2009, Berlin Zoo became the scene of a life-and-death drama as cries of panic erupted by the polar bear enclosure.
Visitors at Berlin Zoo were in for the shock of a lifetime when, one spring day in 2009, a terrifying and highly unusual scene unfolded right before their eyes. It’s a story that, even all these years later, still grabs attention — and it’s easy to see why. After all, it’s not every day a visitor ends up inside a polar bear enclosure, with cameras capturing every heart-stopping moment.
Happened before
Some close to the situation believe her actions may have been a cry for help.
The zoo had plans in place to use force if the bears’ aggression had escalated. Despite the incident, the zoo has confirmed it will not be altering its security policies. Zoo officials stated they did not plan to reinforce the enclosure, reasoning that determined individuals would find a way in regardless of barriers.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time a person had entered a bear enclosure. In 2008, a 37-year-old man climbed into the enclosure with the young polar bear Knut. Knut, only two years old at the time, was a global sensation, celebrated as the first polar bear cub in over 30 years to survive infancy at the zoo.