Two new zoo-perstars take a bow and help to ease the pain after Knut's sudden death

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Polar bear cubs Gregor and Aleut make their first appearance at Nuremberg Zoo today


Their timing was perfect as these cute new zoo-perstars celebrated their first outing in front of an adoring public still in mourning following the death of the world's favourite polar bear Knut.

Polar bear cubs Gregor and Aleut, now four months old, took an Arctic roll watched by mum Vera as they met their fans for the first time at Nuremberg Zoo in Germany - exactly four years after Knut made his public debut in Berlin.


Gregor and Aleut make a playful debut with their mother Vera in the zoo's specially cooled Arctic pond


Their appearance came just a week after four-year-old bear Knut died suddenly. Doctors have since determined that brain damage may have been a contributing factor.

Today, Gregor and Aleut couldn't wait to chill out in the zoo's pond especially cooled to create an Arctic Circle environment.

They stayed outside for three hours as people watched them play and swim.


The polar bear family stayed outside for three hours as people watched them play and swim


The cubs, born in early December, already tip the scales at 45 lbs - and will one day get close to three quarters of a ton.

Keeper Petra Fritz said: 'Vera is taking to motherhood very well and the cubs are in excellent health. They are are just like her - bold and adventurous. They are just so sweet.'



Flashback to March 23, 2007, when Knut made his first public appearance at Berlin Zoo


source: dailymail