Inky was a common New Zealand octopus who was living at New Zealand’s National Aquarium… until he broke out of his tank one night by pushing the lid off. He slipped down a 6-inch-wide drainpipe and made an eight-armed escape back into the ocean. Aquarium staff noticed his disappearance right away and were able to figure out where he went by following a wet trail he’d left. That was about five years ago, and he hasn’t been seen since. His escape made headlines around the world, and his story continues to fascinate people.
“He was very inquisitive and liked to push boundaries,” said Rob Yarrell, the manager of Inky’s former aquarium.
Inky had been donated to the aquarium by fishermen who caught him the year before. And he was dearly loved by visitors and staff because he seemed so inquisitive and also so engaging. People weren’t shocked by Inky’s escape and disappearance — it seemed to fit his nature. “We hope he does well in his new life,” Yarrell said.
Sid was another smart New Zealand octopus. And, like Inky, he had made some pretty brilliant escapes. Unlike Inky, he didn’t make it back to the ocean on his own. Each time, he was found and put back in his tank. Once, he even hid in a drain for five days before trying to escape again. An aquarium spokesman said, “He was one of the octopus[es] that escaped every moment he got. We had to tie the doors shut to keep him in. He could fit through a gap about two inches wide.” Eventually, employees at the aquarium got the hint — and they released him back into the wild.
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