REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz
Knut, a.k.a. Knutmania, is driven nuts by the ladies.
The Berlin Zoo’s adorable polar bear, who shot to global fame as a cub, is reportedly being bullied by a trio of older females, causing the country’s media to worry about the superstar’s love life. (Learn more about Knut in TIME’s photo gallery: Germany’s Latest Polar Bear Celebrity)
Playing hard to get, The Telegraph reports that “Knut has become a heap of misery, instead of enjoying himself with the three ladies, he cowers fearfully in a corner.”
For several weeks, the 3-year-old bear has shared his zoo enclosure with his mother, Tosca, and two other females, Nancy and Katjusch, with the intent of finding a mate. However, Knut, who is definitely not a fan of tough love, has instead become the victim of a number violent altercations. (Check out Knut in TIME’s Top 10 Animal Stories from 2007.)
Nevertheless, Heiner Kloes, Knut’s keeper, is optimistic that the situation will grow more stable. He told The Telegraph that “for the time being, Knut is not yet an adult male and doesn’t yet know how to get respect like his father did. But day by day, he is imposing himself and with time, this type of problem will go away.” (To find out more about Knut as a cub, read Germany’s Polar Bear Cub Quandary)
NewsFeed has a suggestion: perhaps Knut should try fighting them off with a Zucchini? (Must read: Woman Fights Bear With Zucchini, Wins)