[doxinwasido]

Jul 13, 2010
Octopus oracle Paul to retire



Paul, the octopus will 'go into retirement and do what he likes to do best: play with his handlers and delight children who come visit to him.' -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BERLIN (Germany) - NO MORE World Cup, no more octopus oracle. Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs - all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final - is going to retire.

The Sea Life Oberhausen aquarium's spokeswoman Tanja Munzig told AP Television News on Monday that the intuitive invertebrate will 'go into retirement and do what he likes to do best: play with his handlers and delight children who come visit to him.' However, Paul took one last curtain call on Monday. Aquarium employees presented the octopus with a golden cup - similar to the official World Cup trophy.

Although the cup was garnished with mussels, Paul ignored it as it was lowered into his tank - showing the world one last time that he isn't just any old octopus who can be excited simply by shiny bait. Paul won worldwide attention as he called all of Germany's games right - including its semi-final defeat by Spain. He crowned his career by forecasting correctly that Spain would beat Holland in Sunday's final. -- AP