Heidi (opossum): Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | '''Heidi''' (May 2008 September 2011)<ref>http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/put-out-of-her-misery-cross-eyed-opossum-heidi-is-dead-a-788828.html</ref> was a [[Virginia Opossum]] housed at [[Germany]]'s [[Leipzig Zoo]]. In December 2010, the two-and-a-half year old, [[esotropia|cross-eyed]] animal made international headlines shortly after a photograph was published by ''[[Bild]]''. Heidi inspired a popular [[YouTube]] song, a line of stuffed animals, and a [[Facebook]] page with over 290,000 followers.<ref name="warner">Warner, Mary Beth. (7 January 2011). "[http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,738309,00.html A Star is Born: Heidi, the Cross-Eyed Opossum, Charms Germany]". [[Spiegel Online]]. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref><ref>"[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jUl0FF0ozyxIXjUtodhi4tp0LnLg?docId=N0111911294834297037A Cross-eyed opossum is Facebook hit]{{dead link|date=February 2012}}". The [[Press Association]]. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref> |
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{{Infobox animal |
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| name = Heidi |
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| image = |
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| species = ''[[Virginia Opossum|Didelphis virginiana]]'' |
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| breed = |
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| gender = Female |
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| birth_date = May, 2008 |
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| birth_place = [[North Carolina]] |
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| death_date = September, 2011 |
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| death_place = Leipzig Zoo |
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| known = [[Cross-eyed]] |
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| tricks = |
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| predecessor = |
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| appearance = |
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}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Heidi''' (May |
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The zoo's new tropical wildlife exhibit opened to the public in July 2011, and Heidi was exhibited alongside two other opossums – her sister Naira and a male named Teddy.<ref name="facts">"[http://www.zoo-leipzig.de/index.php?strg=9_13_56_271&baseID=465 A few facts about Heidi the opossum]". Leipzig Zoo website. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref> International media has noted that Heidi was one of several animals either born or living in German zoos who have made headlines over the past few years; she followed in the footsteps of other German celebrity animals such as polar bears [[Knut (polar bear)|Knut]] and [[Flocke]], as well as [[Paul the Octopus]].<ref name="reuters"/ |
The zoo's new tropical wildlife exhibit opened to the public in July 2011, and Heidi was exhibited alongside two other opossums – her sister Naira and a male named Teddy.<ref name="facts">"[http://www.zoo-leipzig.de/index.php?strg=9_13_56_271&baseID=465 A few facts about Heidi the opossum]". Leipzig Zoo website. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref> International media has noted that Heidi was one of several animals either born or living in German zoos who have made headlines over the past few years; she followed in the footsteps of other German celebrity animals such as polar bears [[Knut (polar bear)|Knut]] and [[Flocke]], as well as [[Paul the Octopus]].<ref name="reuters"/> |
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==Life== |
==Life== |
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Heidi was given to Leipzig by [[Denmark]]'s [[Odense Zoo]] in May 2010, although she was originally raised in a wild animal sanctuary in the U.S. state of [[North Carolina]] after being found as an orphan.<ref name="facts"/> It is speculated by zoo officials that Heidi's most notable attribute – her crossed eyes – may |
Heidi was given to Leipzig by [[Denmark]]'s [[Odense Zoo]] in May 2010, although she was originally raised in a wild animal sanctuary in the U.S. state of [[North Carolina]] after being found as an orphan.<ref name="facts"/> It is speculated by zoo officials that Heidi's most notable attribute – her crossed eyes – may caused by fatty deposits behind her eyes, the result of poor diet from when she was younger.<ref>Norman, Joshua. (7 January 2011). "[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20027799-503543.html Heidi, the Cross-Eyed Opossum, Becomes a Star in Germany]". [[CBS News]]. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref> While this condition did not affect the opossum's health in any way, mainly because opossums are [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]], it would nonetheless have made her vulnerable to predators in the wild.<ref>"[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14764833,00.html Germany falls in love with cross-eyed opossum Heidi]". [[Deutsche Welle]]. Retrieved 13 January 2011.</ref> The zoo put Heidi on a strict diet shortly after her arrival; it was reported in late January that she had already lost 400 [[grams]] (about one pound).<ref name="kelsey">Kelsey, Eric. (31 January 2011). "[http://af.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idAFTRE70U46B20110131 Heidi the cross-eyed opossum on a diet for health]". [[Reuters]]. Retrieved 1 February 2011.</ref> |
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Heidi was euthanised by the Zoo veterinary staff on 28 September 2011 after several weeks of struggle against an unspecified health condition.<ref name="death">"[http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110928-37881.html Heidi the cross-eyed opossum dead at three]". ''[[The Local]]''. Retrieved 28 September 2011.</ref> |
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==Popularity== |
==Popularity== |
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In December 2010, German tabloid ''Bild'' featured photographs of various animals to be featured in Leipzig Zoo's upcoming ''Gondwanaland'' exhibit. Pictures showing Heidi, the cross-eyed Virginia Opossum, quickly became a phenomenon on the Internet.<ref>"[http://www.torontosun.com/news/weird/2011/01/11/16842651.html Cross-eyed opossum finds Internet fame]". ''[[Toronto Sun]]''. Retrieved 12 July 2011.</ref> Although the zoo |
In December 2010, German tabloid ''Bild'' featured photographs of various animals to be featured in Leipzig Zoo's upcoming ''Gondwanaland'' exhibit. Pictures showing Heidi, the cross-eyed Virginia Opossum, quickly became a phenomenon on the Internet.<ref>"[http://www.torontosun.com/news/weird/2011/01/11/16842651.html Cross-eyed opossum finds Internet fame]". ''[[Toronto Sun]]''. Retrieved 12 July 2011.</ref> Although the zoo declined any plans for marketing the small marsupial, Heidi's quick rise to fame led to a popular Facebook page.<ref name="warner"/> |
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Despite the opossum's sudden fame, the Zoo had no plans to change the upcoming exhibit to better showcase its new star. Leipzig Zoo spokeswoman Maria Saegebart stated in early January: "We understand that Heidi has become so popular and that people will want to see her, but that will not change the zoo's strategy with the exhibit – she's one animal of many."<ref name="reuters">Kelsey, Eric. (11 January 2011). "[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110111/od_nm/us_germany_opossum_odd Cross-eyed opossum capturing hearts]{{dead link|date=February 2012}}". [[Reuters]]. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref> Heidi reportedly received an offer to appear at the [[83rd Academy Awards]] on 27 February 2011 via video broadcast,<ref>"[http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,742746,00.html Hollywood Fame Beckons for Opossum: Cross-Eyed Heidi May Appear in Oscars Coverage]". [[Spiegel Online]]. Retrieved 1 February 2011.</ref> but instead appeared on the late-night show ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' in a series of pre-taped vignettes, in which she predicted the winners of three Oscar categories. She missed one prediction, choosing the long-shot Oscar-nominated ''[[127 Hours]]'' to win over the eventual Oscar-winning ''[[The King's Speech]]'' for Best Film. A Heidi stuffed animal was included in some gift bags available to Oscar guests.<ref>Kelsey, Eric. (28 February 2011). "[http://af.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idAFTRE71R32A20110228 German celebrity opossum misses one Oscar pick]". [[Reuters]]. Retrieved 6 March 2011.</ref> |
Despite the opossum's sudden fame, the Zoo had no plans to change the upcoming exhibit to better showcase its new star. Leipzig Zoo spokeswoman Maria Saegebart stated in early January: "We understand that Heidi has become so popular and that people will want to see her, but that will not change the zoo's strategy with the exhibit – she's one animal of many."<ref name="reuters">Kelsey, Eric. (11 January 2011). "[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110111/od_nm/us_germany_opossum_odd Cross-eyed opossum capturing hearts]{{dead link|date=February 2012}}". [[Reuters]]. Retrieved 12 January 2011.</ref> Heidi reportedly received an offer to appear at the [[83rd Academy Awards]] on 27 February 2011 via video broadcast,<ref>"[http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,742746,00.html Hollywood Fame Beckons for Opossum: Cross-Eyed Heidi May Appear in Oscars Coverage]". [[Spiegel Online]]. Retrieved 1 February 2011.</ref> but instead appeared on the late-night show ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' in a series of pre-taped vignettes, in which she predicted the winners of three Oscar categories. She missed one prediction, choosing the long-shot Oscar-nominated ''[[127 Hours]]'' to win over the eventual Oscar-winning ''[[The King's Speech]]'' for Best Film. A Heidi stuffed animal was included in some gift bags available to Oscar guests.<ref>Kelsey, Eric. (28 February 2011). "[http://af.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idAFTRE71R32A20110228 German celebrity opossum misses one Oscar pick]". [[Reuters]]. Retrieved 6 March 2011.</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:34, 13 June 2013
Heidi (May 2008 – 28 September 2011)[1] was a Virginia Opossum housed at Germany's Leipzig Zoo. In December 2010, the two-and-a-half year old, cross-eyed animal made international headlines shortly after a photograph was published by Bild. Heidi inspired a popular YouTube song, a line of stuffed animals, and a Facebook page with over 290,000 followers.[2][3]
The zoo's new tropical wildlife exhibit opened to the public in July 2011, and Heidi was exhibited alongside two other opossums – her sister Naira and a male named Teddy.[4] International media has noted that Heidi was one of several animals either born or living in German zoos who have made headlines over the past few years; she followed in the footsteps of other German celebrity animals such as polar bears Knut and Flocke, as well as Paul the Octopus.[5]
Life
Heidi was given to Leipzig by Denmark's Odense Zoo in May 2010, although she was originally raised in a wild animal sanctuary in the U.S. state of North Carolina after being found as an orphan.[4] It is speculated by zoo officials that Heidi's most notable attribute – her crossed eyes – may have been caused by fatty deposits behind her eyes, the result of poor diet from when she was younger.[6] While this condition did not affect the opossum's health in any way, mainly because opossums are nocturnal, it would nonetheless have made her vulnerable to predators in the wild.[7] The zoo put Heidi on a strict diet shortly after her arrival; it was reported in late January that she had already lost 400 grams (about one pound).[8]
Heidi was euthanised by the Zoo veterinary staff on 28 September 2011 after several weeks of struggle against an unspecified health condition.[9]
Popularity
In December 2010, German tabloid Bild featured photographs of various animals to be featured in Leipzig Zoo's upcoming Gondwanaland exhibit. Pictures showing Heidi, the cross-eyed Virginia Opossum, quickly became a phenomenon on the Internet.[10] Although the zoo declined any plans for marketing the small marsupial, Heidi's quick rise to fame led to a popular Facebook page.[2]
Despite the opossum's sudden fame, the Zoo had no plans to change the upcoming exhibit to better showcase its new star. Leipzig Zoo spokeswoman Maria Saegebart stated in early January: "We understand that Heidi has become so popular and that people will want to see her, but that will not change the zoo's strategy with the exhibit – she's one animal of many."[5] Heidi reportedly received an offer to appear at the 83rd Academy Awards on 27 February 2011 via video broadcast,[11] but instead appeared on the late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a series of pre-taped vignettes, in which she predicted the winners of three Oscar categories. She missed one prediction, choosing the long-shot Oscar-nominated 127 Hours to win over the eventual Oscar-winning The King's Speech for Best Film. A Heidi stuffed animal was included in some gift bags available to Oscar guests.[12]
References
- ^ "Put Out of Her Misery: Cross-Eyed Opossum Heidi Is Dead". Spiegel Online. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ a b Warner, Mary Beth. (7 January 2011). "A Star is Born: Heidi, the Cross-Eyed Opossum, Charms Germany". Spiegel Online. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ "Cross-eyed opossum is Facebook hit[dead link]". The Press Association. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ a b "A few facts about Heidi the opossum". Leipzig Zoo website. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ a b Kelsey, Eric. (11 January 2011). "Cross-eyed opossum capturing hearts[dead link]". Reuters. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ Norman, Joshua. (7 January 2011). "Heidi, the Cross-Eyed Opossum, Becomes a Star in Germany". CBS News. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ "Germany falls in love with cross-eyed opossum Heidi". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
- ^ Kelsey, Eric. (31 January 2011). "Heidi the cross-eyed opossum on a diet for health". Reuters. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Heidi the cross-eyed opossum dead at three". The Local. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ "Cross-eyed opossum finds Internet fame". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ "Hollywood Fame Beckons for Opossum: Cross-Eyed Heidi May Appear in Oscars Coverage". Spiegel Online. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ Kelsey, Eric. (28 February 2011). "German celebrity opossum misses one Oscar pick". Reuters. Retrieved 6 March 2011.