Rememberance…Thomas Dörflein, die Wölfe und ein Journalist…
Feb 26th, 2009 | By Birgit | Category: Dumba's reports
Thomas Dörflein und seine Wölfe/Foto: Viktor
Wenn ich an Thomas Dörflein denke, habe ich eine Szene vor Augen, die sich in einer Berichterstattung des RBB aus dem Berliner Zoo, ganz unabhängig von der Handaufzucht eines Eisbären ergab.
Ein Medienschaffender, der heute Wissenschaftsjournalismus betreibt und mit mir den selben Vornamen, allerdings mit falschem Anfangsbuchstaben, teilt, saß im Gehege der Wölfe und plauderte mit Thomas Dörflein über seine Arbeit. Da der Tierpfleger mitten in selbiger war, saß er nicht gemeinsam mit dem Herren Journalisten auf einem liegenden Baumstamm, sondern stand daneben.
Der Fragesteller trug einen Anorak mit pelzbesetzter Kapuze. Die Frage, ob es sich um Echt- oder Webpelz handelte, ist zwar interessant, aber in diesem Zusammenhang völlig unerheblich. Interessant ist, daß sich die Wölfe für diese Kapuze zu interessieren begannen. Ein ganz vorwitziger Wolf schlich sich von hinten an, um das pelzige Ding näher zu inspizieren. Thomas Dörflein sieht es, grinst sich eins und… macht weiter im Text… des Interviews.
Da springt der Wolf nach vorne, will die Kapuze packen, erwischt sie nur ganz leicht – mit einem halben Fangzahn quasi – da ruft ihn schon, mit einem kurzen Wort, Thomas Dörfleins Autorität zur Räson, der Wolf lässt ab und geht seiner Wege.
Das ganze war eine sekundenschnelle Aktion, lang genug aber, um das Gesicht des Medienschaffenden so weiß werden zu lassen, wie es das Fell der Berliner Wölfe ist. Vielleicht interpretiere ich es nachträglich in diese Szene hinein, aber mein Eindruck war, daß Thomas Dörflein nach diesem kleinen Zwischenspiel mehr Spaß an dem Gespräch hatte, als sein medialer Gesprächspartner.
Danke
Carsten Schöne
And here the English version
When I think of Thomas Dörflein, I recall one scene which happened to be part of a rbb report about the Zoo Berlin and which was not connected to the hand raising of a polar bear.Someone working for the medias and who is today in science journalism, and who by the way shares my first name except of the first letter, was sitting in the enclosure of the wolves, chatting with Thomas Dörflein about his work. As the keeper was right in the middle of doing it, he was not sitting together with Mr.Journalist on a tree trunk, but standing beside.
The interviewer wore an anorak with a furry coated hood.The question if it was a genuine fur or an imitated one made of fleece, might come up as an interesting one, but was in this context without any importance. More interesting that the wolves started to develop a sort of interest in this hood. A very meddlesome and mischievous wolf sneaked from behind for a closer inspection of this furry thing. Thomas Dörflein, aware of it, is grinning …and continues with the interview. Suddenly the wolf jumps forward in order to get hold of the hood, catches it slightly, with one fang maybe, when Thomas Dörflein orders him off, using just one brief word but full with authority, the wolf took off and strolled away.An action, not taking longer than some seconds but long enough to change the complexion of that media man into a white not unsimilar to the fur of the Arctic wolves of Berlin.. Maybe today I lay too much into this late situation, but I was strongly under the impression that from that moment on, Thomas Dörflein enjoyed the interview much more than the journalist.
Thank you
Carsten Schöne
Foto:Viktor
Dies ist mein erster Beitrag hier, wegen der besonderen Beziehung, die der Aussenposten zu den Wölfen hat und weil es nun bereits 5 Monate her ist…in Erinnerung an Thomas Dörflein und Simba…, die in ihren Geschichten auch gerne mit einem dieser Wölfe getanzt hätte…
This is my first contribution here, as the Outpost has always had a soft spot for the wolves and as already 5 months have passed…in rememberance of Thomas Dörflein and Simba…,who certainly would have liked to dance one day with one of these wolves…
Carsten Schöne gebührt Dank für das Aufschreiben dieser Geschichte und UlliJ für das Finden…Danke!
Welcome our new contributor and writer Birgit aus the Outpost in the Indian Ocean!
When I read about this interview TD did, I thought it confirmed all our thoughts and what we already knew- that he was a very special person.
Thank you Birgit!
BH Leaf
Thank you Birgit for sharing this precious memory of Thomas with us. I never had the opportunity to meet him but the first time I saw his photo I knew he was different from the average human being. There was an ineffable quality about him – it was more than compassion, sensitivity and kindness. It was something very sacred, pure and intense and one saw it in eyes every time he looked at Knuti and the other animals.
For me, he and Knuti helped to thaw a frozen, cynical heart that had forgotten there was still beauty and unconditional love in this world. They reminded me about innocence and the value of love and laughter. How can I ever repay this gentle stranger and how can I ever stop loving Knuti?
He left us too soon and is missed terribly.
Thank you Birgit. In my mind, this man was a highly evolved being who was capable of connecting with animals on a sacred level.
Absolutely, I agree with you Paula and Celinne. He was a highly evolved human, with an effable, outworldly quality about him.
Birgit, Thank you for this beautiful article!
Celinne, Paula, Leaf – My life was changed in many ways after I got to know the Dream Team. I was getting a cynical, sarcastic old woman but suddenly I found my way back to my inner child and could laugh and be happy about the little things that make life worth living. Of course, Knuti and TD is not a little thing but I’m sure you know what I mean!
You all right, Deam Team also rescued in me the side child and the happiness. A new direction for the dreams!
Leaf, Mervi, Luisa, Paula,
Seems as if we have are discovering more about ourselves and the healing therapy of laughter and loving others unconditionally thanks to Thomas and Knuti. This is a deeper and richer experience than any counselling session. The journey inward is a necessary if we are to evolve as human beings. Thank you Knuti and Thomas for being such precious beings.
Birgit…it’s so nice to see your name and face here as a regular contributor. You are a master at finding interesting tidbits…stories, pictures, information. Speaking of tidbits, this here is a wonderful story that I am so happy to have read. Mr. Doerflein was truly gifted in many inspiring ways and I’m always happy to learn of yet another of his charming life moments.
((((hugs))))
Betsy