Scientists Defrost a 495 kg Squid !

Newsman: "At a New Zealand
museum scientists

are defrosting a rare 500 kg squid.

They want to study the little known species

before preserving it for display.

Let's take a look."

Narrator: "Weighing in at just
under half a ton

this is a huge catch.

The Colossal Squid is the largest of its kind

ever to be caught and preserved

now scientists at the
museum in New Zealand

are defrosting the creature and preparing it

for dissection.

The scientists have up to eight hours

before it starts to decay

Marine biologist Stephen O'Shea

says there's a lot to discover.

O'Shea: "In 2003 when we had the first specimen

we didn't have any eyes.

And when we put a gadget in the water here

saw two of the most sensational eyes

and they're both perfect.

So that is a highlight but that's

probably the best thing so far.

And there's more to come."

Narrator: "The huge eyes are 27 cm wide

and its tentacles lined with
hundreds of sharp hooks

so it can catch its prey.

As for talking into a calamari starter

it seems this squid doesn't taste too bad."

O'Shea: "The interesting thing about it is

that it was non-ammonical and that's the

important thing as far as we are concerned.

It tasted good apparently."

Narrator: "After dissection the squid

will be embalmed and displayed

at the museum."

Captioned by Danyoul