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.
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.
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.
