The page cannot be found

Of course, the short answer is no. This all began as a publicity stunt for zoos, aquariums and TV shows, with sports betting operators never losing any sleep over them, as the predictions were always highly unlikely to influence the latest sports betting odds. Still, a handful of these creatures earned genuine fame, with their stories worth revisiting.

Nelly and Paul

Nelly the Elephant was first on the scene, from a German safari park. Reportedly starting in 2006, she kicked a ball towards whichever goal carried the flag of her chosen winner, and landed 30 of 33 predictions correctly across three separate tournaments. Paul the Octopus was the one to steal the spotlight, however. Presented with two food boxes bearing national flags, he ate from one, and keepers treated that as his selection. During Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, he called 12 of 14 results correctly, including Spain’s semi-final win over Germany and their eventual triumph.

Feathers, Fur and Fins

Paul’s success inspired imitators all around the world. Mani, a parakeet in Singapore, flipped over flag cards with his beak and backed the Netherlands in the 2010 final, only for Spain to win. Achilles, a deaf cat who spent his days catching mice at a Russian museum, chose between food bowls at the 2018 World Cup and enjoyed a good run before slipping up. Taiyo, an otter in Tokyo, placed a tiny football into one of three buckets and correctly foresaw Japan’s shock victory over Germany at Qatar 2022. Even Walter, a veteran orangutan at a German zoo, returned for Euro 2024, though his final forecast sparked debate because he grabbed one team’s food bag but ate from the other’s first.

Not Every Prophet Prospers

For every success there was the inevitable stumble. Mystic Marcus, a pig who picked apples while wearing a wizard’s hat, saw most of his 2018 predictions fall flat. Rabio, Japan’s octopus oracle, was flawless in the group stage but sadly never got to attempt predicting the knockouts, as he was served up as a meal beforehand. Fortune-telling appears to be a much riskier career path than first imagined.

Why Luck Can Look Like Skill

There’s no scientific evidence that any animal can predict the future. Probability offers a much simpler explanation: with enough animals guessing blindly, a few are bound to hit a lucky run, and those are the names that stick. Add a charming personality and a well-timed press release, and a lucky guess becomes folklore.

Why Zoos Love the Spotlight

Behind many of these publicity stunts sits a clever and well-executed communications plan. Zoos, aquariums and conservation centres use major tournaments to engage the public, win attention and showcase their resident animals. A gentle elephant kicking a ball is far easier to promote than an annual report. The animals rarely mind either, provided there’s plenty of food involved.

Conclusion

Football will always be unpredictable, which is precisely why these feathered, furry and tentacled forecasters endure. Zoos enjoy the attention, broadcasters enjoy the spectacle and fans enjoy a fun yet harmless distraction before kick-off.