This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27810714
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| World Cup 2014: Animals 'predict' World Cup results | World Cup 2014: Animals 'predict' World Cup results |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| During Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, Paul the Octopus shot to global fame by correctly "predicting" the winners of 11 out of 13 matches. | During Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, Paul the Octopus shot to global fame by correctly "predicting" the winners of 11 out of 13 matches. |
| Now several animals around England are stepping, flying and swimming forward to give their predictions. | Now several animals around England are stepping, flying and swimming forward to give their predictions. |
| But could this all just be a clever marketing ploy? | But could this all just be a clever marketing ploy? |
| Penguins Alf, Lolly and Ginny | Penguins Alf, Lolly and Ginny |
| On Wednesday the Gentoo penguins at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham predicted a draw for England in their opening game against Italy. | On Wednesday the Gentoo penguins at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham predicted a draw for England in their opening game against Italy. |
| But when they were asked to repeat their efforts for the benefit of the media, they changed their mind and forecast a win for Roy Hodgson's team. | But when they were asked to repeat their efforts for the benefit of the media, they changed their mind and forecast a win for Roy Hodgson's team. |
| Curator James Robson said: "Our Gentoos are really enthusiastic and love playing new games so have quickly got into the spirit of choosing the winning flags." | Curator James Robson said: "Our Gentoos are really enthusiastic and love playing new games so have quickly got into the spirit of choosing the winning flags." |
| The penguins have been examining the country's flags for each head-to-head game and choosing which they think represents the winning team by hopping on to the rock it is leant against. | The penguins have been examining the country's flags for each head-to-head game and choosing which they think represents the winning team by hopping on to the rock it is leant against. |
| When they are unable to choose a winner, they have been scrambling on to the middle ground. | When they are unable to choose a winner, they have been scrambling on to the middle ground. |
| Sarge and Oscar the Macaws | Sarge and Oscar the Macaws |
| As members of a species regarded as the national birds of Brazil, Macaws Sarge and Oscar correctly predicted a win for their home team in their opening match. | As members of a species regarded as the national birds of Brazil, Macaws Sarge and Oscar correctly predicted a win for their home team in their opening match. |
| However, they are less confident that England will be successful against Italy. | However, they are less confident that England will be successful against Italy. |
| "I do hope they are wrong [about England]," John Nattrass, bird keeper at working farm The Gincase in Silloth, Cumbria, said. | "I do hope they are wrong [about England]," John Nattrass, bird keeper at working farm The Gincase in Silloth, Cumbria, said. |
| The birds have been choosing the winners from two pots of feed marked with the different countries. | The birds have been choosing the winners from two pots of feed marked with the different countries. |
| "If their predictions are right, maybe I'll start putting some money on them," Mr Nattrass said. | "If their predictions are right, maybe I'll start putting some money on them," Mr Nattrass said. |
| Miniature donkeys Alistair and Derek | Miniature donkeys Alistair and Derek |
| Miniature donkeys Alistair and Derek are also hoping to become successors to Paul the octopus. | Miniature donkeys Alistair and Derek are also hoping to become successors to Paul the octopus. |
| The pair, named after the owners of Puxton Park, in Somerset, have been choosing between food boxes containing the flags of the competing countries. | The pair, named after the owners of Puxton Park, in Somerset, have been choosing between food boxes containing the flags of the competing countries. |
| Alistair and Derek sniffed out England as a worthy winner against Italy this Saturday. | Alistair and Derek sniffed out England as a worthy winner against Italy this Saturday. |
| Sarah Warren, head of park, said: "We're hoping their England prediction comes true and that we could have own very own Somerset World Cup psychics on our hands." | Sarah Warren, head of park, said: "We're hoping their England prediction comes true and that we could have own very own Somerset World Cup psychics on our hands." |
| Big Head the loggerhead turtle | Big Head the loggerhead turtle |
| It is not just English animals that have suddenly come over all Nostradamus. Host nation Brazil has been given a confidence boost from its chosen tipster - Big Head the loggerhead turtle. | It is not just English animals that have suddenly come over all Nostradamus. Host nation Brazil has been given a confidence boost from its chosen tipster - Big Head the loggerhead turtle. |
| Choosing to eat a fish hung from a Brazilian flag rather than a Croatian flag, the turtle correctly predicted Brazil would beat Croatia in the opening game of the World Cup. | Choosing to eat a fish hung from a Brazilian flag rather than a Croatian flag, the turtle correctly predicted Brazil would beat Croatia in the opening game of the World Cup. |
| A small crowd of onlookers at the Praia do Forte turtle sanctuary, north of Salvador, cheered in appreciation of the 25-year-old turtle's choice. | A small crowd of onlookers at the Praia do Forte turtle sanctuary, north of Salvador, cheered in appreciation of the 25-year-old turtle's choice. |
| The pundit's view | The pundit's view |
| Marketing expert Keith Hicks, from the University of West England, said the predictions should not be looked at as anything more than a "bit of fun". | |
| "Most superstitions have a purpose and I think this is certainly to promote the World Cup," he said. | "Most superstitions have a purpose and I think this is certainly to promote the World Cup," he said. |
| "I think it is a bit of fun and like most of these things they become a tradition and it all adds to the mystique and fun of the competition." | |
| Mr Hicks said that with tourist attractions "fighting their corner for the consumers' attention" they will inevitably use the appeal of animals and big events. | |
| "Good luck to them really, it is difficult to keep a zoo or aquarium and get interest in it and keep a science centre going, so all credit to them for exploiting people's interest in World Cups and animals," he added. | "Good luck to them really, it is difficult to keep a zoo or aquarium and get interest in it and keep a science centre going, so all credit to them for exploiting people's interest in World Cups and animals," he added. |