Octopus develops fan base at Mossel Bay’s aquarium

Ursula the friendly octopus is developing a massive fan base at the Shark Lab Aquarium and Research Facility at Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.

Ursula was rescued three years ago with two broken tentacles. After healing, she has gone on to became one of the biggest attractions at the facility.

Jacqueline van Zyl, from the Shark Lab, says Ursula loves to interact with visitors and can even play fetch.

“She plays with a ball and with a hoop. Lenny, who is now overseas, taught her to throw the ball through the hoop. She plays with her little boat, she dismantles it and puts it back together again. I had to take the mannetjies out because she throws it at the people. But she likes to wave at the people. She’s very pleasant, she’s oulik.”