The Octopus That Escaped from the Aquarium

Inky, an octopus the size of a basketball, managed to escape from the National Aquarium of New Zealand and make its way to Hawke Bay on the eastern coast of New Zealand. Inky, whose age is unspecified, was able to climb out through a gap at the top of the aquarium and reach a waterway. After traveling more than two meters on land, it reached the waterway and after sliding nearly fifty meters in the water channel, it released itself into Hawke Bay. This great escape of Inky, who lived with another octopus named Blotchy in the National Aquarium of New Zealand, occurred several months ago but was only confirmed by officials a few days ago. Rob Yarall, the aquarium manager, told Radio New Zealand that 'Inky found its way from a waterway to the ocean.' He jokingly added that the octopus did not leave a farewell message for them. However, this clever escape by the octopus is not something new or strange for marine biologists. Alex Harvey, an American marine biologist, told The New York Times that octopuses are very good escape artists. Octopuses can also open various containers or use coconut shells to build homes on the sea floor. According to Harvey, octopuses have complex brains. 'They have excellent vision, and research has shown that their brains have the capability to learn mental maps.'