RIP Paul the Octopus

[FourScore]

World Cup’s Paul the Octopus dies

FRANKFURT—Paul the Octopus, the tentacled tipster who fascinated soccer fans by correctly predicting results at this year's World Cup, died Tuesday.

Paul had reached octopus old age of 2½ years and died in his tank on Tuesday morning in an aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, spokeswoman Ariane Vieregge said.

Paul 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 added.

“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.

After rising to global prominence during the World Cup in South Africa in June and July, Paul retired from the predictions business after the final between Spain and the Netherlands — the result of which he also forecast correctly — and returned to his prime role of making children happy.

The blogosphere erupted in sympathy for Paul, although some saw him more as a tasty morsel than a departed friend. “Will they cook him Galician-style? I wonder how much a plate of Paul with a beer must cost,” wrote Jordi, alluding to the popularity of octopus as a dish in the northwest Galicia region and much of Spain.

Others were more philosophical on hearing of Paul's death.

“For the next month I will go to class dressed in mourning, wrapped in a black suit and with my gaze lost in the horizon, as this calamitous event deserves no less,” wrote 'relojero' which means watchmaker. Another blogger, Pedro, saw a sinister hand at work. “An autopsy should be carried out, it's certain some betting office killed him...”

MORE AT: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/881112--world-cup-s-paul-the-octopus-dies

[RZM]

1. That's too bad

He was one badass oracle.

[joeybee12]

2. Anyone knowledge about octopi? Is 2 years old young for one to die? n/t

[Xipe Totec]

4. No,. that's their natural life span; 2 years nt

[joeybee12]

7. Thanks!

Poor guy...seems too short for such a celebrity.

[xchrom]

5. generally not very long

but here is what i found

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus

[joeybee12]

6. Thanks...

for some reason I thought they had long life spans.

[xchrom]

3. that makes me sad -- he was part of the world cup for me. nt