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Paul the Octopus, the cephalopod who become a global icon for his predictions during this summer's World Cup, has died.
The Octopus, who was born in Weymouth, England in January 2008 before being rehoused at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany, shot to fame by correctly guessing the outcome of all of Germany's World Cup fixtures, before choosing Spain to beat the Netherlands in the final of the tournament.
Paul would guess correctly by selecting one of two boxes marked with each country's flag. For achieving a 100 per cent record he was awarded a replica World Cup trophy, which was covered in mussels.
Stefan Porwoll, manager of the Sea Life Centre said: ""We are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here and that the care provided him by our dedicated displays team could not have been bettered.
"His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself. We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine.
"While this may seem a curious thing to do for a sea creature, Paul achieved such popularity during his short life that it may be deemed the most appropriate course of action."
Paul's controversial status did lead to bounties being placed on his tentacles, with a number of chefs speaking of their desires to capture and cook the creature.
Shortly before his death Paul made one final prediction by guessing thatEngland would win the rights to host the 2018 World Cup.
