Saying "I've had enough", Paul the Octopus used his nimble tentacles to pop the lid off his tank and pull off a plucky escape. Running away with him was pregnant girl-friend Paulina.
German zoo officials commented: "Ve hef abzoolootly no idea ver he could hef gone". However Spanish officials are said to have complained to the UN: "Something smells fishy in Germany".
Psychic Paul was supposed to head off to a new job as a fundraiser for sea turtles when he is said to have disappeared.
World Cup winners Spain had declared Paul an "honorary friend" - an unusual compliment in a nation whose only interaction with Paul and his ilk was limited to grilled calamari.
Paul's agent Barry Barracuda told international media:
"Paul has decided to go it alone. He is tired of others making money on his fame. He feels he has bigger fish to fry. He still owes me big-time for the WC predictions...I'm thinking of suing"./strong]
