Germany's Cross-Eyed Opossum, Heidi, Dies

A German zoo says Heidi, the cross-eyed opossum who became an unlikely international celebrity, has died.

The Leipzig zoo said Wednesday that Heidi's keepers decided to put the three-and-a-half-year-old animal to sleep after trying unsuccessfully for weeks to treat her for arthritis and other symptoms of old age.

Zoo director Joerg Junhold says the decision was made "in the interest of the animal."

Heidi drew admirers from across the globe with her cute but confused appearance — stemming from her crossed eyes that veterinarians attributed to a weight problem.