Paul the psychic octopus 'could transfer to Spain' after bidding war

2010-07-16

Paul the psychic octopus may be heading for Spain after having correctly predicted the result of the 2010 World Cup final.

Madrid Zoo announced a transfer bid for the oracle octopus, which became a worldwide sensation after correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs, The Telegraph reports.

Officials from Zoo Aquarium in Madrid told Paul's aquarium in Germany it would give him a warm welcome in gratitude for predicting Spain's World Cup one-zero win over the Netherlands.

They believe the eight-legged creature, named after a German children's book by Boy Lornsen, will attract thousands of visitors and become a star attraction.

Madrid zoo contacted the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen "to ask them to transfer the animal" while making, what they said, was an offer to the Germans they could not refuse.

Officials promised to "improve on any offer received so far". It said the bid to came in response to "dozens of petitions from all over Spain".

They have offered an unspecified amount of cash and have also attempted to negotiate through an animal exchange programme.

But a spokeswoman for Paul said he was not for sale.

In octopus terms, Paul is already a pensioner, at the grand old age of two-and-a-half. Octopuses generally live three years at most. (ANI)

Source:Europenews.Net