An octopus named Inky famously escaped from a New Zealand aquarium in 2016 by slipping through a drainage pipe into the ocean.
Octopus escapes from aquarium
In April 2016, an octopus named Inky escaped from the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier by slipping through a drainage pipe into the Pacific Ocean. The escape was revealed by National Geographic and later reported by Science et vie. Escape method and discovery
The octopus took advantage of a slightly ajar tank cover during routine cleaning, crossed the wet floor, and located a drainage pipe opening. The next morning, caretakers found a long wet trail from the tank to the pipe opening. Background of the octopus
Inky had been caught two years earlier in a lobster trap and had been housed with a smaller male octopus named Blotchy, who remained in the tank. The aquarium did not replace Inky and did not publicly disclose the incident until three months after the escape, following coverage by New Zealand radio. Details of the escape route
The escape route was a 50-meter pipe that discharged directly into the ocean. The aquarium staff dismissed the possibility of theft due to the site's security. Inky was recognized for its curiosity and tendency to explore boundaries.
