There are celebrities who are known by just their one name. Knut is among those celebrities - and might be the most famous polar bear in the world. Rejected by his mother at birth, Knut was hand raised at the Berlin Zoo. There were protests that Knut should not be raised by humans and, instead, should be put down. Knut survived, charmed and has had an international following. At first, he was a white ball of fur with four legs that somehow just missed being co-ordinated:

The picture gallery documents Knut’s development. In his younger days, Knut graced the cover of publications like Vanity Fair. Knut is now a year old - and still cute.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: knut, polar bear, birthday, berlin zoo