Flags are at half staff and all calamari is half off today as Paul the Psychic Octopus, who entranced the world with his psychic World Cup prediction powers, has passed away.
Paul died in his tank on Tuesday morning at the Sea Life aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, spokeswoman Ariane Vieregge said.
Paul correctly tipped the outcome of all seven of Germany’s World Cup games, plus the final between Spain and the Netherlands. Following their victory, a grateful Spain offered sanctuary to Paul, fearing that he may be eaten by disgruntled German nationalists. But the Sea Life aquarium refused. Paul made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two clear plastic boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag.
The octopus seemed to be in good shape when he was checked late Monday, but he did not make it through the night. He died of natural causes, Vieregge said.
“We had all naturally grown very fond of him and he will be sorely missed,” Sea Life manager Stefan Porwoll said in a statement.
The aquarium has not yet decided how best to commemorate their most famous resident, he said.
“We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds, and erect a modest permanent shrine,” Porwoll said.
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World Cup soccer’s psychic octopus dies [NBC Sports]
