Polar bear

Let me introduce Germany's (or even worldwide) most famous polar bear:

Knut

Born in Berlin in December 2006, he was abandoned by his mother, and a keeper raised him. Tons of video footage of a cuddle ice bear baby were then broadcasted on all TV stations. The Knutmania was born.
The zoo produced a lot of Knut merchandise, and made quite some money with him.

As you can see in this blip, he is not a small bear anymore, but still a people magnet.