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Paul the World Cup Octopus Retires

No more psychic stuff for this cephalopod

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2010 12:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – Paul, the octopus who correctly predicted eight out of eight World Cup outcomes, including the final match, is retiring. He’s taking a “step back from the official oracle business,” a spokesperson for his Germany aquarium tells the AP. “He won't give any more oracle predictions—either in football, nor in politics, lifestyle or economy. Paul will get back to his former job, namely making children laugh.”

No word on why Paul—who made four out of five correct predictions in the Euro 2008—is getting out of the psychic business, but perhaps he was uneasy about all the backlash from his fellow Germans after he predicted their team's defeat. Before his retirement, Paul was given his very own World Cup-like trophy garnished with mussels for him to eat.

In this picture provided  by the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, shows octopus Paul swimming next to a golden cup similar to the World Cup trophy, July 12, 2010
In this picture provided by the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, shows octopus Paul swimming next to a golden cup similar to the World Cup trophy, July 12, 2010   (AP Photo/ho/Sea Life)
Octopus Paul fixes the Spanish box during his oracle for the semifinal match at the World Cup in South Africa between Germany and Spain in the SeaLife Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, July 6, 2010.
Octopus Paul fixes the Spanish box during his oracle for the semifinal match at the World Cup in South Africa between Germany and Spain in the SeaLife Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, July 6, 2010.   (AP Photo/dapd/Mark Keppler)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
CHRiSTFELD
Jul 12, 2010 12:37 PM CDT
Shoulda bet a few quid on that squid!
Dewser
Jul 12, 2010 12:19 PM CDT
Fear the octopus. It is very smart, can see the future and has 6 more arms than you do.
Landshark
Jul 12, 2010 12:16 PM CDT
As Paul finds out the hard way, telling the truth can get you into deep doodo!
 

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