Paul the Octopus dies

26 October 2010 10:49 am

Paul the Octopus, who gained worldwide fame this year by correctly predicting the outcome of eight World Cup soccer matches including the final this year, died peacefully in his sleep, the Sea Life Center in Oberhausen, Germany, media reports said.

“Management and staff of the Oberhausen Sea Life Aquarium were devastated when Paul was found dead this morning,” the aquarium said in a statement.

The aquarium said it would erect a monument to the little brown octopus whose astounding predictive powers turned him into the true star of the tournament, eclipsing the likes of Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Thomas Müller and Andres Iniesta. Spain won, and “Pulpo Paul” found a place in the hearts of the country's people.

TV channels around the world provided live coverage of his forecasts in June and July, made by choosing a tasty mollusc from two glass boxes lowered into his tank. Each glass box was marked with the flag of a soccer team and the one he opened first was his choice of winner.

REUTERS