Vancouver Aquarium staff have released a lovelorn octopus into the ocean off the coast of Bowen Island. The aquarium says the female octopus was seen to be spending more time out of her den, a behaviour associated with looking for a mate.

Vancouver Aquarium staff have released a lovelorn octopus into the ocean off the coast of Bowen Island.

The aquarium says the female octopus was seen to be spending more time out of her den, a behaviour associated with looking for a mate.

After getting permission from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a team helped transfer the octopus to ocean waters, with aquarium staff diving into the water to help it to the ocean floor.

Last week, we got some exciting footage of our female Giant Pacific octopus being transferred to a den off the coast of Bowen Island. In the ocean, she can now find a mate, lay eggs, & contribute to our local Giant Pacific octopus population. ? pic.twitter.com/XhfD1WkC7X — Vancouver Aquarium (@vanaqua) March 22, 2018

It's hoped the octopus can find a mate, lay eggs and contribute to the local Giant Pacific octopus population.