Inky the octopus escaped from New Zealand’s National Aquarium back into the Pacific Ocean

INKY the octopus has busted out of New Zealand’s National Aquarium and back into the Pacific Ocean in spectacular fashion.

The El Chapo of the octopus world

IT MAY not have been the perfect crime, but Inky the octopus is the one having the last laugh.

The cephalopod channelled his inner-El Chapo and escaped from New Zealand’s National Aquarium back into the Pacific Ocean.

Inky had been a resident of the aquarium since 2014 when he was discovered badly injured in a crayfish pot, but after regaining his health, he decided enough was enough.

With staff leaving the lid of Inky’s tank slightly ajar, Inky saw his chance, climbed out of his enclosure and slid across the wet floor to a drainpipe that led to the ocean.

Reaching the drain, the football-sized octopus squeezed himself into a pipe six inches diameter and crawled 45 metres to freedom.

How the escape was performed. Picture: National Aquarium of New Zealand

National manager of the National Aquarium of New Zealand Rob Yarrell said Octopuses were notorious escape artists.

“But Inky really tested the waters here. I don’t think he was unhappy with us, or lonely, as octopus are solitary creatures,” he toldThe Guardian.

“But he is such a curious boy. He would want to know what’s happening on the outside. That’s just his personality.”

Mr Yarrell said the aquarium would not launch a search for Inky, but he would be dearly missed.

“When we came in the next morning and his tank was empty, I was really surprised,” he said.

“The staff and I have been pretty sad. But then, this is Inky, and he’s always been a bit of a surprise octopus.”

Exhibits keeper at the National Aquarium Reiss Jenkinson said despite the strange circumstances, he was confident Inky was not stolen.

“I understand the nature of octopus behaviour very well,” he said.

“I have seen octopus on boats slip through bilge pumps. And the security here is too tight for anyone to take Inky, and why would they?”