Eddie the famous slam-dunking sea otter dies shortly before his 21st birthday

'Eddie was one of the oldest and most-beloved sea otters on the planet, Oregon Zoo says

Eddie, a beloved seat otter who become a global internet star, has died shortly before his 21st birthday.

Eddie died on Thursday when the Oregon Zoo, where the cute otter lived, euthanised him in result of his declining health.

It is believed that Eddie was one of the oldest among all sea otters among the world. He reached viral global fame in 2013 when an online video showed him slam-dunking tiny basketballs through a mini hoop.

Eddie, according to the zoo, had arthritis, and played basketball as a form of therapy for his joints.

“Male sea otters seldom live past 15 years, so Eddie was among the very oldest of his kind,” Amy Cutting, a curator for the zoo’s marine life area, said in a statement.

The zoo released a tribute video on social media showing some behind-the-scene footage of Eddie’s exercise and therapy routines.

Eddie was rescued in 1998 as an orphaned pup in California. He was rehabilitated at Monterey Aquarium and them moved to Oregon Zoo in 2010.

The geriatric otter was a part of a local basketball team, the Portland Trailblazers, and they upgraded his tiny basketball hook with their team logo for his 20th birthday.

Following news of his death, the Trailblazers tweeted that Eddie was their “furry friend” and a “true ambassador” for otters and basketball.