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Olympic inspiration

Inspired by her home town of Vancouver hosting the 21st Winter Olympics, Harriet, a North Pacific giant octopus at the award-winning Oceanarium in Bournemouth, is getting to grips with a new sport unfamiliar to the eight-armed creature.

With only a few days until athletes from more than 80 nations compete in 15 winter sports, Harriet is mastering a game of hoopla as part of an ongoing environmental enrichment programme at the seafront attraction.

Introduced to Harriet’s display this week, the fair ground game consists of five interlocked wooden blocks and five rings, all suitable for the creature to interact with using her unique physiology and dexterity, while providing increased mental stimulation.

Oliver Buttling, Group Curator of the Oceanarium, Bournemouth, said: “Environmental enrichment is a critical part of creature care at the Oceanarium. Already able to unscrew jar lids and having broken a previous puzzle used as part of her enrichment programme, we introduced the game of hoopla to Harriet to continue to test the octopus’ intelligence and mental ability.

“Having only just introduced the game to Harriet’s display, the curious creature is already showing signs of hoopla success. We only hope now the fairground game is included in the London 2012 Olympic Games, as we’re certain Harriet would grasp a gold medal.”

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Oceanarium, the award winning Bournemouth Aquarium, is top of the list of where to go and what to do in Dorset. We are a fun, friendly, all weather attraction situated on the seafront, next to the pier. The Oceanarium is home to thousands of sea life creatures and welcomes families, schools, educational trips, group bookings and is a unique private hire venue. It provides disabled wheelchair access and is pushchair friendly. Bournemouth is one the largest tourist destinations on the south coast of England. Visit the Oceanarium for a great day trip out for all the family.