An octopus in Germany who has shot to fame by correctly predicting the outcome of the country's World Cup matches should be set free, an animal rights group has demanded.
"Paul has forecast that Germany will beat Argentina. In order that Paul too can celebrate on Saturday, and not just football fans, PETA Germany ... is now asking for him to be set free," PETA said in a statement.
The organization called for the seawater soccer soothsayer, currently in Sea Life in Oberhausen, western Germany, to be released into a national park in waters off the south of France where fishing is banned.
"Paul is stuck in a small aquarium ... We think that Paul would be fine in the sea," marine biologist Tanja Breining from PETA said.
"Octopuses are among the most intelligent of invertebrates. They are capable of complex thought processes, have short and long-term memories, use tools, learn through observation, have different personalities and are particularly sensitive to pain," the organization said.
Sea Life, however, said it would be a bad idea.
"Animals born in captivity are used to being fed and have no experience finding food by themselves," a spokeswoman told AFP.
"It is highly likely that he would die." Two plastic boxes, one with a German flag and one with their opponent's, are lowered into Paul's tank, each with a tasty morsel of food inside. The box that Paul opens first is judged to be his predicted winner.
About Paul the Octopus
Ø Paul the Octopus or Paul Oktopus is a two-year-old common octopus with a history of correctly predicting the results of major German international football matches, especially in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Ø This total rate of 11 out of 12 games correct constitutes a significant deviation from what flipping a coin would suggest, using a Binomial test. A fair coin would guess at least 11 out of 12 games correctly only 1 time in 315.
Ø Paul was hatched at the Sea Life Park in Weymouth, England but currently resides at the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany.
Ø Before German international football matches, Paul is presented with food in two identical containers; one container is marked with the flag of Germany and the other is marked with the flag of Germany's opponent. In each instance, Paul's choice of food is interpreted as his predicted victor.
Ø Paul is reported to have correctly chosen the winner in five of Germany's six UEFA Euro 2008 matches, predicting that Germany would win every match except a loss to Croatia, but incorrectly predicting Germany's victory over Spain in the final in 2008.
Ø He correctly chose the winner in each of Germany's six matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, including Germany's loss to Serbia during the group phase, and a loss to Spain in semifinals.
