Paul the Octopus Has Died

Paul the Octopus, who rose to fame during this summer’s World Cup by predicting which team would win it, has died. He was found in his tank by his supervisor and he died of natural causes.

This summer, Paul predicted correctly no less than eight straight World Cup games, which earned him the nickname of “the Oracle.”

The Oracle would have turned 3 this January. His caretaker says he died in his sleep, People magazine says.

“Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight,” a statement from the aquarium in Germany reads.

No other details about Paul’s death were offered.

“Born in January 2008 in Weymouth, England, Paul accurately forecast the results of all but two of Germany’s games during Euro 2008 (he slipped up on predicting the defeats to Croatia and Spain),” People says of Paul’s almost impeccable record.

At the World Cup 2010, Paul maintained a perfect record: not only did he accurately predict Germany’s wins, but he also “saw” that Spain would beat Netherlands in the final.

“Paul’s method: His caretakers at the Sea Life Centre placed a mussel in each of two clear plastic containers within his tank, and each container was marked with the flag of the competing soccer team,” People writes.

“Paul always took his first mussel from the container bearing the flag of the team he ‘knew’ would win,” the magazine further says of the Oracle’s method of seeing into the future.

Even if Paul was officially retired from the prediction game since July 12, 2010, sports fans will still miss him, as also will his “fans” at the sea life center.

According to his Wikipedia page, Paul’s remains will be cremated but his management is yet to decide on a burial place for him. Once it’s chosen, an announcement will be made.