Video: 'Octographer' uses Sony TX30 at Kelly Tarlton's

  • Breaking
  • 13/04/2015

An octopus at an Auckland aquarium is making international news with its unique ability to take photos.

Rambo, a female octopus, has been trained to use an underwater Sony camera as part of Kelly Tarlton's ongoing "enrichment programmes" that aim to keep all of their animals stimulated.

Kelly Tarlton's curator Andrew 'AJ' Christie described Rambo as a "strong-willed" and "curious" character.

"We worked on that and gave her something different in her display. She would basically come in and she'd investigate what was there and she'd get a food reward whenever she went to the right area of the camera," he says.

"If she touched on the shutter button she'd get a food reward, and so she gradually learnt overtime, once she touched that button, she'd take a photo and she'd get a food reward."

The aquarium has even given some – not all – visitors the opportunity to have their photo taken by Rambo.

"The end result of the photograph is nice to have for people to see and to get a unique opportunity to have their photo taken by an animal," says Mr Christie.

"More importantly for us, it's seeing that our animals are really happy in their environments, and we're constantly challenging and stimulating them."

Watch the video to see Rambo take some photos.

source: newshub archive