Elephants, gorillas and macaws make their picks in World Cup forecasts at Mexican zoo

Animals at Guadalajara Zoo made their predictions on Friday (June 5) for World Cup matches set to be played in the host city, choosing winners by picking food, shirts, boxes and soccer balls linked to different teams.

Elephants ate from a Mexico flag in a prediction for Mexico's match against South Africa, while gorillas interacted with shirts representing Spain and Uruguay. 

Danae Vazquez, head of communications at Guadalajara Zoo, said several species freely chose the teams they thought would win games in Guadalajara and matches involving Mexico.

The zoo said elephants Shanti and Kenya predicted a Mexico victory over South Africa, while gorillas leaned toward Uruguay against Spain. Capybaras produced a draw in the Mexico-South Korea prediction after neither team's box opened, according to Vazquez.

Macaws later picked Mexico over the Czech Republic, with Vazquez saying one macaw, Nova, repeatedly chose the Mexican side during several attempts. A puma moved a ball toward South Korea's side in a prediction against the Czech Republic, while giraffes chose the Democratic Republic of Congo over Colombia.

The predictions formed part of local World Cup activities in Guadalajara, one of the tournament's host cities, as Mexico prepared for matches during the football event.

Production: Jose Luis Osorio, Desiree Carrion, Hugo Monnet/Reuters