A memorial service was held in Lacey on Sunday for Princess the football picking camel who died recently at the Popcorn Park Zoo.

Zoo Director John Bergman with Princess and reporter Jason Allentoff
Zoo Director John Bergman with Princess and reporter Jason Allentoff (Townsquare Media NJ)
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The 26-year-old Bactrian camel, who picked 5 of the last 6 Super Bowls correctly, was remembered by Zoo employees and friends who came from all over including Diane Mello, Princess' original caretaker on the Doris Dukes estate who came to the memorial from Vermont. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. She was a very big part of my life...went through some crazy times with her." Princess was even part of Mello's wedding.

Princess came to the Associated Humane Society facility from the north Jersey estate of Doris Dukes in 2004 and eventually gained fame for her weekly pigskin prognostications.

Zoo General Manager John Bergmann fondly remembered Princess. "She had such a presence..it was her personality." Every week Bergmann would write the names of the matchup on his hands and place graham crackers on top. Whichever cracker she ate constituted her pick.

In her final pick, Princess  successfully chose the Broncos to top San Diego in the AFC divisional playoff. Bergmann thought it appropriate Princess was memorialized on Super Bowl Sunday.

The zoo requests donations to a memorial fund established in Princess’ name. Donations can be sent to Popcorn Park Zoo, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731. Write “Princess” on the envelope.

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