Paul, the WCup predicting octopus, dies at 2 1/2

AP-Yahoo! ^ | 10/26/2010 | NESHA STARCEVIC

[greatdefender]

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)—Paul the Octopus, the tentacled tipster who fascinated soccer fans by predicting results at the World Cup, died Tuesday.

Paul had reached the octopus old age of 2 1/2 years and 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 games. He 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.

[max americana]

That’s sad......anyone know which sauce works best with calamari?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The aquarium has not yet decided how best to commemorate their most famous resident, he said.

I suppose it would be heartless to suggest sushi.

[Kartographer]

There is but one thing to say at at a solemn occasion such as this:

The Calamari is served. ;-)

[Drango]

RIP Paul.

(Wait, I don’t give a f*&$#^% rat’s @$$ about an octopus)

[Carpe Cerevisi]

I wonder if he saw it coming...

[Azzurri]

Obviously murdered by the Germans, after he correctly picked Spain to beat them in the semifinals.

[MNDude]

Hey! An Octopus is the only known invertabrae known to have higher level of emotions suck as happiness, fear, love and Schadenfreude.

[OrioleFan]

It’s last prediction was for a 100 seat win for Republicans...

[JPG]

Eight legs but only one life.

[savedbygrace]

The good die young?

[savedbygrace]

That sucks . . . or at least it did.

[ArrogantBustard]

The Calamari is served. ;-)

Not calamari ... that's squid. Octopus is polpo.

[Kartographer]

It would appear that I am a victim of Culinary Impairment Syndrome!

[ArrogantBustard]

Once it’s on your plate, it doesn’t matter that much. I can’t tell the difference.

[Kartographer]

“Once it’s on your plate, it doesn’t matter that much. I can’t tell the difference.”

Even when it comes back up? ;-)

[antiRepublicrat]

Germany’s seven games, plus the final makes 8 correct guesses with a 50/50 chance for each. That means 2^8 probability, or 1 in 256. It’s not that incredible.

[ArrogantBustard]

If you kill it and cook it before eating it, it's less likely to come back up.

I'm sure there's some place in Japan that serves both of them with their tentacles still flailing ...

[Uncledave]

It’s not that incredible.

Paul picking 8 consecutive winners might not be "incredible", but I think it's amazing that an octopus could find soccer so interesting, evaluate the matches and arrive at a reasoned decision.