Yes it was very sad that Dorflein died. He was only in his mod-forties. And he really seemed to love that bear. Did you know that he moved into the zoo for at least three months to take care of Knut and feed him round the clock? There used to be German Knut that posted videos of Knut and Thomas on German tv. There was one where Dorflein was resting on a bed in his little apartment at the zoo. Then it showed a chubby Knut trying to squeeze his cute fat polar bear belly through the window from outside. He then climbed on top of Thomas and began sucking on his hand. Thomas then crooned to him and pet him, while dozing off. It was so adorable.