Animals Thread (Animals are better than people)

Visitors to the Aquarium of the Pacific are bidding a heartfelt farewell to one of its most beloved residents — Ghost, a giant Pacific octopus who is now entering the final stage of her life.

The octopus, known for her vibrant personality and intelligence, recently laid a clutch of unfertilized eggs and is now in senescence, the natural last phase of her species’ life cycle.

According to The Associated Press, during this period, she will spend her remaining energy protecting the eggs — even though they will never hatch — while forgoing food and rest...

...Ghost quickly became a favorite among both staff and visitors. She was trained to voluntarily crawl into a basket for routine weigh-ins and dietary monitoring. But she also sought human interaction.

“Sometimes, she would push aside food her caregiver was offering just to interact with them more,” Jaros said.

She regularly engaged in enrichment activities, solving puzzles and hunting for food hidden inside toys. One of the most memorable moments was when staff spent hours building her a large acrylic maze — which she “mastered almost instantly,” according to Jaros...

Beloved Octopus at California Aquarium Nears End of Life, Inspires Outpouring of Love
 
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