Octopus thief legs it with camera

Octopus at home.

This time it was the diver who was the sucker.

Victor Huang had to chase an octopus underwater off the Wellington coast after it stole his new camera.

Huang was diving near the Wahine Memorial between Breaker Bay and Moa Point on Wednesday when he saw the creature.

When he got closer, the octopus took the camera.

The Weta digital animator gave chase and caught the thief while the camera was still recording.

Using a speargun beneath the octopus, he wrenched it free from the creature's mouth but the octopus grabbed the gun. Huang swam around with the octopus in tow and as he neared the shore, his adversary released its grip.

Kelly Tarlton's octopus expert Andrew Christie said the creatures are highly intelligent.

- Staff reporter and NZPA