The Berlin Zoo celebrated the first birthday of its famous polar bear Knut, who was born and then rejected by its mother. Since infancy, the polar bear has caught the attention and the endearment of people the world over.

The birthday celebration, which was held Wednesday, involved more than 2,000 attendees by noon, and was highlighted by a giant birthday cake made from 300 eggs and 22 pounds of marzipan.

Children were given free entrance to the Zoo for the day and slices of the giant birthday cake were sold, with the proceeds going to the zoo's foundation.

The AP reported that Kunt, however, tipping the scales at 240 pounds, was not given a slice of his cake. Instead, he was favored with a healthy treat of fresh fruit, vegetables, and rice, with a toy wooden candle to top off the dish. The food was in adherence to a diet that he has been on since July.

Zoo officials explained that since Knut has grown, there is already the option of transferring him to other zoos in Europe, hopefully one that will give him a mate.

This certainly was the wish of Thomas Doerflein, who was responsible for taking care of Knut by hand, feeding and playing with him.

"A spacious enclosure. A female partner," Doerflin said. "At some point, Knut needs to leave me."

Knut was abandoned at birth, suffering from the same treatment as his twin brother, who tragically did not survive.

The zoo's attempts to care for the cub were at first negatively received by animal rights activists, who accused the crew of interfering with nature's course. They argued that natural events must be allowed to unfold, even if it meant costing the cub his survival.