an octopus update

[rivendellrose]

Update to my post of last week: Just got a second email from one of the invertebrate biologists at the Seattle Aquarium, and he agrees with my conclusion/fear that our little buddy at the shop near work is, in fact, a Mimic Octopus. Unfortunately, that also means that buying / "rescuing" him would support and encourage the collection of these fine creatures. He's planning to keep an eye on it, though, and will keep us updated if there are further developments.

In a way, I'm pleased about having been right, but in a lot of other ways, I felt better thinking the little guy might actually have been a Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus. I am not thrilled at the knowledge that this little guy got collected for the private collection industry, I'm not happy thinking how many others probably were, too, and I'm really sad that the aquarium can't buy it without supporting the collection of more from the wild.

On the plus side, I can't say enough about how pleased and impressed I've been with the Seattle Aquarium in all of this. They've been very responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable through the whole thing. Kudos to them. ♥

Comments

[gaslightgallows]

I'm sorry they can't offer your lovely wee octopus a home, but I'm shocked and thrilled that they even responded, and that they're going to keep an eye on him and keep you updated.

You are a true friend to cephalopods. <3

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I had a feeling they would at least reply (we had a visit with them while I was in my museum studies class, and they're really really up on community involvement and all that), but I had no idea they'd be this engaged. Very impressed.

But still sad about the poor little mimic.

[katherineokelly.livejournal.com]

I'm really sad that the aquarium can't buy it without supporting the collection of more from the wild.

No joke. =( If only there were protection laws in place so the Aquarium could confiscate the animal without payment, thus discouraging further collection.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I know, totally. I get the impression it's really hard to convince agencies to take an interest in protecting sea invertebrates... which is horribly sad, but not all that surprising when we have a hard time protecting things that are fuzzy and cute and that lots of people love. :(

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Good for you for contacting them!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I had to try at least.

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

If they can't buy it and keep it, can they buy it and return it to it's home? And if not, why? I'm so sad for the little guy. I've been hoping you'd have an update on this. Kudos to the Aquarium for what they've done so far, and Kudos to you for recognising it and doing something about it. I love you and am so very proud of you!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, they don't live very long or travel well, so I'm not sure that would really work... and even if they did, buying it would still encourage people to collect them, because they made the money off the sale.

The good news is (as the aquarium guy pointed out) the shops charge so much for these guys that it's not going to be a casual collector who buys it, so that does mean whoever buys it has a better chance of knowing what they're doing and having the experience / cash to actually take proper care of it. Still sad, though. Love you, too!