Paul the psychic octopus, who correctly predicted a startling number of results during the World Cup 2010, has died peacefully in his tank.
The octopus shot to fame and was labelled ‘oracle’ and ‘psychic’ after choosing correctly the winners of all seven of Germany’s World Cup this summer. He also predicted that Spain would take home the cup.
For Paul to predict a match, food was placed in two containers marked with the flags of competing teams. Whichever the octopus chose to eat first was deemed his prediction.
Stefan Porwoll, manager at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany where Paul lived, said: “His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself.”
Today, staff were devastated to find that Paul had died.
“He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night of natural causes,” said Porwoll.
“We are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here.
“We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine.”
Fans of Paul the Oracle Octopus will probably already know that there are numerous clothing lines and mobile phone applications in honour of the eight-limbed hero.
Paul will also feature in a documentary to be released early next year.
Related: Is Paul the octopus really psychic? Paul the Oracle Octpus picks Spain to win World Cup
