Breaking news! Jabulani the octopus gives Spain the psychic edge

By Ingrid Sinclair / 9 July 2010

Jabulani digs into the Spanish jar. Photo courtesy Stefan Hurter

The Two Oceans Aquarium buzzed with anticipation early this morning, way before opening time, as members of the local and international media huddled around the Octopus vulgaris display to witness a world event of epic proportions. We’re talking, of course, about a prediction of the outcome of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Radio, newspaper and TV personalities wielded their cameras, notebooks and sound equipment as Jabulani aka Houdini, the Aquarium’s common octopus, prepared to harness his psychic powers to foretell who would win Sunday’s big match: Spain or the Netherlands.

Africa Melane of radio station 567 CapeTalk was there for a live broadcast of this astonishing event (the continent’s first). Two jars with screw caps, one bearing the Spanish flag and another the Dutch, each containing a shrimp snack, were lowered into Jabulani’s tank by aquarist Kevin Spiby, while Communications and Sustainability Manager Helen Lockhart co-ordinated events via her two-way radio.

As news of Paul the oracle octopus’s numerous correct predictions reached our shores, the Aquarium and 567 CapeTalk reckoned it was time to get a South African octopus’s prediction; after all, we are the host nation and Jabulani is probably less biased than Paul, who was born in England but is thought to favour Germany’s chances. That was not the case most recently, though, when Paul picked Spain over Germany at the semi-final – correctly, as it turned out, and much to the chagrin of his compatriots.

An empty jar counts in Spain's favour. Photo courtesy Stefan Hurter

The jars were lowered at the same time but Jabulani grabbed onto the Spanish jar and wouldn’t let go. For a few seconds, he just sat there and that’s when the onlookers started to speculate. “It’s going to be a penalty shootout!” said one. “He’s still deciding,” said another. Then, slowly, Jabulani started unscrewing the jar. Soon enough his tentacle was inside the jar and, as if he’d done this a thousand times before, he pulled out the tasty treat and snacked away.

By all accounts, this is Jabulani’s prediction – Spain will take the cup on Sunday night. We can’t wait to find out if he’s right!

The Aquarium’s aquarist Tertia Greenstone was interviewed by Africa Melane as well as Udo Carelse, whom you’ll recognise as a reporter for SuperSport, 567 CapeTalk and Talk Radio 702. Other media organisations represented were the BBC and Eyewitness News.

Tertia Greenstone chats to the media

Jabulani was collected from False Bay and is one of the Aquarium’s most adorable creatures. Tertia recounted for the cameras and microphones how much he likes to be tickled on his head, and about how sneaky he can be, often hiding behind his display’s rocky backdrop – hence the name, Houdini.

Think it’s amazing that Jabulani can unscrew a jar? It is! Octopuses are considered among the most intelligent marine invertebrates. Click here to read more about this fascinating species.

Comments

Anne-Marie
09/07/2010 #

The question is…... Can an octopus see colour? He seems to be attracted to the flag that has more red in it.
Admin
09/07/2010 #

Hi Anne-Marie; Yes, it does see colour! The eyes of an octopus are remarkably similar to those of humans in that they also have a cornea, an iris, a lens, a pupil and a retina.

You raise a good point about being attracted to the colour red, however the Dutch flag also has plenty of colour in it!
Katja
09/07/2010 #

And one can also think about the fact that Germany and Spain have the same colours in them, however Paul chose Spain this year but Germany the last time he had to make the same decision.
James
09/07/2010 #

This is going to be so hard!
Michael Scott
09/07/2010 #

Thats what she said! Or in this case.. Thats what the octopus said!
Anne-Marie
09/07/2010 #

he has chosen a flag with MORE red in it as per last time
Tara
09/07/2010 #

Overheard in the Flow office: “Since when did a starter have an opinion?”
:)
Katja
09/07/2010 #

Back in 2008 Paul the Octopus was already predicting matches and Germany was playing Spain in the European Cup in a semi final. Paul chose Germany that time and it has been his only wrong prediction. So back then he chose the flag with less red.
aggelos
09/07/2010 #

noooooooooooooooooo!!!! :(!!!! that’s sad…..but let’s see…..
aggelos
09/07/2010 #

but wait….this is jabulani the octopus???? isn’t his name paul?
Admin
09/07/2010 #

Hi Aggelos; yes - this is Jabulani, also known as Houdini, who performed a similar trick to Paul’s at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town this morning.

We’ve learnt that Paul also chose Spain as the winner of the finals.
Garth
09/07/2010 #

Couldnt u guys just be a litte original. Why try get on the band wagon on some one elses idea. Pathetic and embarrassing.
Kim
09/07/2010 #

Not pathetic or embarrassing, just a great opportunity to make our local destinations known. Great media opp, good laugh, all tounge in cheek after all. Don’t take things so seriously Garth.
Theogonia
09/07/2010 #

There’s a World cup happening right now??? Good thing I live in Cape Town! Go Iceland! Strákarnir okkar!!! Can you get the squid looking thing to predict how many more shots of this Brennivin I can chase before I pass out whoohooo
Garth
10/07/2010 #

Hey Kim, my point was could u have not been more original.
Craig
12/07/2010 #

Garth - Paul opens a box, Jabulani unscrews a sealed jar. Also in addition to Paul there is Mani the Parakeet who picks flags for peanuts, Leon the Porcupine in Australia has been wrong frequently, Anton the Tamarin gets it wrong and a Pygmy Hippo in Serbia picks apples marked with flags…