The young girl who saved the giant Pacific octopus from stranding on a Washington beach is being credited with saving the animal’s life. Visiting Bay View State Park in Mount Vernon, the girl and her family spotted an octopus on the beach that had no chance of returning to the water due to the outgoing tide.
After contacting a local park ranger, they sought help from academic researchers. Annie England of Padilla Bay Reserve responded to the scene and was shocked to find “such an alive, healthy octopus.”
The octopus was kept alive until help arrived by the young girl, according to England.“In her sand bucket, she poured water over the octopus after filling up the bucket with water,” she told KING 5.
“While people may be inclined to believe that the octopus can survive out of water for a few minutes, the gills collapse.” England said she does not recommend that the public move an octopus or touch it.”
Thankfully, the giant Pacific octopus slowly crept out of the bucket once it reached the water’s edge, after both of us worked together to drag it into a bucket.
This incident was a learning experience for all involved, including the young girl who poured water over the octopus to keep it alive. Thank you for keeping this marine animal alive!
