Move over El Chapo, there’s a new escape-artist in town.

It was the middle of the night, at the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier, when Inky, an octopus, broke through his enclosure.

After noticing that a worker had left his tank lid slightly ajar, Inky made his break. He didn’t even bother to cover his tracks.

Instead the daring octopus left a trail that told the story of him silently gliding across the floor, squeezing himself through a narrow drain hole about six inches in diameter. According to reports in New Zealand’s news media he then slid slid down a 164-foot-long drainpipe that dropped him into Hawke’s Bay, on the east coast of North Island

Many have applauded the daring escape, happy that Inky is now reunited with his natural habitat. Inky was originally brought to the aquarium when he was rescued by a fisherman after being injured in a crayfish trap. The aquarium was instrumental in restoring Inky’s health, and he soon became a hit within the marine exhibit, known for his curiosity and spunky attitude

It is important to appreciate this magnificent creature and its natural habitat. When discussing the future of our world, it is essential to consider that our oceans do not only belong to humans, but it is the home to millions of creatures depending on humans to keep it clean and unpolluted.

Although, the aquarium personnel were undoubtedly sad to see Inky go, they understood his desire to return to the ocean.

“Off he went, didn’t even leave us a message,” said aquarium manager Rob Yarrell.

To those familiar with the marine world, an escape like this is not uncommon for a creature like Inky.

Octopi are known for their strength, dexterity and intelligence. They are even able to complete mazes, and create a mental map in their brains. Octopi are members of a class of marine animals, including squid and cuttlefish, called Cephalopoda.  They are adept at escaping through spaces as small as a coin, constrained only by their beaks, the only inflexible part of their bodies.

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Octopus expert, Jennifer Mather told Scientific American that, “They are very strong, and it is practically impossible to keep an octopus in a tank unless you are very lucky… Octopuses simply take things apart.”

Yarrell agreed that octopuses were famous for escaping their enclosures, but claimed Inky's getaway was remarkable. “The lid had been left just slightly ajar, just slightly, and he found this rather tempting, climbed out, and was able to make his way across the floor,” said Mr Yarrell.

Since Inky’s escape, the aquarium has been on high alert. Inky left behind his less independent-minded tankmate named Blotchy. 

Yarrall said the aquarium has no plans to replace Inky, but it does intend to better secure the tank where now just the one octopus remains.

Well, hats off to you, Inky, on your daring getaway. At least your plan worked out, unlike some before you. 

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Inky the Octopus’ Daring Escape From a New Zealand Aquarium

Ein Beitrag von Miquel-Caitlyn Gabbidon