Pictures: The life and death of Paul the Octopus

Paul had reached the octopus old age of two-and-a-half years and died in his tank at the Sea Life aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Paul correctly picked the outcome of all seven of Germany’s games. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two clear plastic boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag.  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

Paul seemed to be in good shape when he was checked the night before, but he was found dead the next day.  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

It was determined that Paul died of natural causes.  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

The aquarium has not yet decided how best to commemorate their most famous resident  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

After rising to global prominence during the World Cup in South Africa, Paul retired from the predictions business after the final between Spain and the Netherlands - correctly picking Spain - and returned to his primary role of intriguing children who passed through the aquarium.  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

After his World Cup soothsaying skills were revealed, the English-born Paul was appointed as an ambassador to England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Paul had English roots. He was hatched at Weymouth Sea Life Center on England’s south coast in 2008.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

“El Pulpo Paul” became so popular in Spain that the northwestern Spanish town of O Carballino tried to borrow him and made him an “honorary friend.”  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Paul, who had an agent, got hundreds of requests to go to Spain. The Madrid Zoo asked Sea Life if it would be willing to make a deal to bring him in as a tribute to the Spanish football team’s victory. But the German aquarium turned down the offer.  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

Paul’s name will live on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where a permanent sea turtle rescue center funded in part by donations generated by the famous octopus is being established  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

“We had all naturally grown very fond of him and he will be sorely missed,” Sea Life manager Stefan Porwoll said in a statement.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Paul may get his own small burial plot on the aquarium’s grounds and a modest permanent shrine may be erected in his honor.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Imitators sprang up all over the world, including Mani the Parakeet in Singapore and Lorenzo the Parrot in Hannover, Germany.  (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)

Another was a saltwater crocodile named Dirty Harry, who predicted Spain’s World Cup final win and called the result of Australia’s general election by snatching a chicken carcass dangling beneath a caricature of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Here Paul is predicting the match between Germany and Uruguay.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Here Paul is choosing between Spain and the Netherlands.  (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

An Indian artist created a sand sculpture of Paul the Octopus before the match between Spain and the Netherlands.  (STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

Not everyone was happy with Paul’s predictions. These are supporters of the Netherlands attending the World Cup final match between the Netherlands and Spain.  (PABALLO THEKISO/AFP/Getty Images)