Famous Octopus Dies, Donates to a Sea Turtle Rescue Center

Paul, an octopus at the Sea Life aquarium in Germany, correctly predicted the winner of all seven games of the World Cup. He made his predictions by opening one of two clear plastic boxes, each bearing a team flag and containing a mussel. His predictions attracted worldwide attention, and he was subsequently paid to support England’s 2018 World Cup bid. Paul also received hundreds of requests to go to Spain, but his agent turned them all down.

Paul died in his tank Tuesday morning of natural causes at the octopus old age of 2 ½ years. The aquarium hasn’t decided how to commemorate Paul yet, but they may give him a burial plot and modest shrine on the aquarium grounds. “Paul’s name will live on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where a permanent sea turtle rescue center funded in part by donations generated by the famous octopus is being established.”

Nesha Starcevic, Paul, the WCup Predicting Octopus, Dies at 2 ½, AP Sports, Oct. 26, 2010.

Special thanks to Adam J. Hirsch (William and Catherine VanDercreek Professor of Law, Florida State University College of Law) for bringing this to my attention.