PETA Wants Psychic World Cup Octopus Oracle Freed

Paul The Octopus has done it again!

The German-based seawater soccer soothsayer correctly predicted that Germany would beat Argentina in Saturday’s World Cup match in South Africa, meaning he has correctly called the outcome of all the matches for his home country. But Paul has correctly called his last World Cup match, if the animal rights zealots at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have anything to say about it.

After a bid to have America’s weather-predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil replaced with a robot failed last winter, the fur-hating organization has turned its focus to freeing seawater soccer soothsayer Paul — who currently lives in Sea Life in Oberhausen, Western Germany.

“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 calling for Paul’s release last Friday.

PETA wants Paul released into a national park in waters off the south of France where fishing is banned. Sea Life, however, fears the move would endanger the animal’s life.

“Animals born in captivity are used to being fed and have no experience finding food by themselves,” a spokeswoman told AFP Monday. “It is highly likely that he would die.”

The animal rights organization disagrees: “Paul is stuck in a small aquarium … We think that Paul would be fine in the sea,” argues marine biologist Tanja Breining, a PETA representative. “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.”

So far, the eight-legged seer has correctly called Germany’s victories over Ghana, Australia, and Argentina. Now fans are just waiting for Paul’s choice in the Germany-Spain semifinal matchup on Wednesday.