Portugal Colonial - 'It's clear who won!': Mexican zoo residents hedge World Cup bets

The creatures faced a prophetic choice: munch on the grass on the side marked with a Mexican flag, or opt for the greenery on the opposing South African side.

Their split-second choice to amble over to the former consolidated the prediction that Mexico will emerge as the winner of the highly anticipated match on June 11.

This fortune-telling exercise follows in the footsteps of South Africa's unforgettable Paul the Octopus in 2010.

"The idea is that the animals are going to make predictions about different matches that will be played," zookeeper Ivan Reynoso told AFP.

Next up, the gorillas Chenchi and Faustina were presented with two pinatas shaped like player jerseys -- one from Spain, and the other from Uruguay.

There was a tense pause until one of the primates suddenly went for Uruguay's shirt, suggesting the South American nation will win the June 26 match.

"It's clear who won!" one zookeeper exclaimed excitedly.

A puma named Muluk seemed sure that South Korea will triumph against the Czech Republic, and six giraffes hedged their bets with the Democratic Republic of Congo over Colombia.

Reynoso said the betting "stimulates many senses" for the animals on top of providing entertainment for an audience giddy with excitement ahead of the world's biggest football bonanza.

"This kind of activity enriches them a great deal, not only visually for the audience but for them as well," he said.

F.Ferraz--PC