CALM Zoo’s Cats of California Pick Seattle Seahawks to Win the Super Bowl
Thursday February 5, 2026
Visitors gathered today at the CALM Zoo for the annual Super Bowl prediction, where the Cats of California once again stepped into the spotlight to forecast the championship outcome. Mountain lions Laurel, Misty, and Sage, along with bobcats Roxy, Rufus, and Coco, took part in the fan-favorite tradition by choosing between two decorated enrichment boxes, each representing one of the competing teams. When the cats eagerly tore into their selected box, the decision was clear — their official pick for this year’s Big Game: the Seattle Seahawks.
The annual prediction event continues a long-standing CALM tradition that blends wildlife education with community fun. In previous years, CALM’s black bears made the highly anticipated selection, but for the second consecutive year, the zoo’s cats assumed the role while the bears remain in their natural winter torpor, a seasonal rest period that supports their health and well-being.
During the winter months, CALM’s bears retreat to their dens, entering a state of reduced activity that allows them to conserve energy while still occasionally waking for short periods. Zoo staff say allowing the bears uninterrupted access to their dens reflects CALM’s commitment to supporting natural animal behaviors and prioritizing animal welfare, even when it means longtime favorites are not visible to visitors.
“We do a lot of fun things at the zoo, but this is among the most fun,” said Elizabeth Graff, Volunteer and Community Engagement Facilitator at CALM. “Thanks to our amazing animal keepers for their dedication and for creating such a cool experience — not only for our community, but also for our animals.”
The annual prediction event remains one of CALM’s most popular seasonal activities. Last year, the cats correctly predicted that the Eagles would win the Big Game, giving them a perfect prediction record so far. With that perfect record, the Cats of California have set a high bar — will they remain undefeated? We will find out Sunday.
By Robert Meszaros
Rob Meszaros is Director of Communications for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, where he has served since 2012. In his role, Meszaros oversees media relations, internal and external communication strategies, publications, Marcom, branding, and multi-media content creation. Before joining KCSOS, Meszaros was the PIO for CSU Bakersfield and earlier worked for seven years at The Bakersfield Californian.