Cross-Eyed Opossum Heidi Is Dead

[xchrom]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,788828,00.html


Leipzig Zoo's star attraction, Heidi the cross-eyed opossum, is dead. Keepers put her to sleep Wednesday after unsuccessfully trying to treat her arthritis.

She became famous because of her crossed eyes which were apparently due to excessive weight. But it was a different health problem that caused keepers to put Heidi the opossum to sleep.

Leipzig Zoo announced that Heidi was put to sleep Wednesday after keepers had failed to successfully treat her arthritis and other maladies relating to old age, despite weeks of efforts. Heidi was three-and-a-half years old.

The zoo's director, Jörg Junhold, said the decision had been made "in the interests of the animal." Keepers wanted to spare her further pain and suffering, he said.

In recent weeks, Heidi had hardly moved, as a result of her arthritis. "We carried out all possible examinations and treatments," Junhold said. The only explanation, he added, was old age, something that the veterinarians could do nothing against.




***well that's very sad news -- heidi had a wonderful face -- i'm sure her keepers will miss her.