Inky the Octopus Makes Epic Escape from New Zealand Aquarium

We’re kind of delighted with this news story all the way from New Zealand, about a very clever octopus who managed to wriggle out of his tank, down a drain pipe and into the sea.

The daring escape, which has gone viral all over the world, took place at the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier, after an employee left the lid of Inky’s tank slightly ajar. I’ve personally been to that aquarium and can tell you it’s right next to the beach, but Inky’s journey is still pretty impressive.

The New York Times even picked up the story:

Octopus tracks suggest he … scampered eight feet across the floor and slid down a 164-foot-long drainpipe that dropped him into Hawke’s Bay, on the east coast of North Island, according to reports in New Zealand’s news media.

The aquarium’s keepers noticed the escape when they came to work and discovered that Inky was not in his tank. A less independence-minded octopus, Blotchy, remained behind.

Missed your chance for internet fame, Blotchy.