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Prognosticating ape at Utah zoo makes his Super Bowl pick

SALT LAKE CITY -- An ape at the Salt Lake City zoo has predicted the Carolina Panthers will win the 2016 Super Bowl.

Zoo spokeswoman Erica Hansen says a 1-year-old orangutan named Tuah chewed up a cardboard Panthers sign and later kissed a papier-mache Panthers helmet. Hansen says he never touched the Denver Broncos sign or helmet.

Hansen says Tuah's older sister gave Broncos fans hope when she entered the enclosure later and put the Broncos helmet on her head.

The annual event occurred Thursday. Animals at the zoo have correctly predicted the Super Bowl winner eight straight years.

CBS affiliate KUTV reports that Eli the orangutan was 7 for 7 before he died in 2014. A lion stepped in last year while Tuah was a baby and correctly picked the New England Patriots.

This was Tuah's first time handling the duties.

Tuah is not the only animal picking the Panthers. Tibet, a female tiger at the Myrtle Beach Safari park, also picked Carolina. Her method? Chasing down a remote-controlled car with a Panthers helmet.

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