Ape at Utah zoo predicts Panthers to win Super Bowl

SALT LAKE CITY — An ape at the Salt Lake City zoo has predicted the Carolina Panthers will win the 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.

This was Tuah's first time handling the duties. His dad picked seven straight winners before dying in 2015. A lion stepped in last year while Tuah was a baby and correctly picked the New England Patriots.