A cross-eyed opossum called Heidi, Germany's latest animal sensation after "Cute Knut" the polar bear cub and Paul the Octopus, has been hired as a tipster for the Oscars, her zoo said.

Heidi will appear on America's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show on ABC and will "select" her favoured movie from each category in the February 27 awards, Leipzig Zoo in eastern Germany said. "She will not however leave Leipzig. The filming will be done .. at Leipzig Zoo," it said in a statement.