During the conversation with Pippa in the cafe, Timothy mentions going to the zoo to see Brumas. This was the first baby polar bear to be successfully reared in Britain. Born on 27 November 1949 at London Zoo, Brumas was named after her keepers Bruce and Sam (reversed). The bear became so popular that newsreels, books, postcards, toys and other souvenirs celebrated her fame. She died on 17 May 1958.