Public reveal for world famous squid

The world famous colossal squid hooked by an MFish observer 18 months ago is gearing up for its final public appearance at Te Papa.

The colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, was caught in February 2007 from New Zealand fishing boat, the San Aspiring, in the Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea.

The squid has since been the subject of intense media interest from around the world as it is believed to be the first complete adult colossal squid ever landed.

Over the past 18 months it has survived an epic journey from being hauled from the depths of the Ross Sea, being examined by multiple scientists to finding its final display space at Te Papa.

In August of this year the 459kg specimen was moved from its preservation tank into a permanent purpose built display tank, due to be revealed on Saturday 13 December 2008.

The process involved draining 6,000 litres of toxic solution from the tank, rinsing the squid, removing eggs from a rip in the mantle, repairing the rip, then hoisting it into the display tank.

Earlier this year the squid was defrosted and examined by scientists, with the process webcast live through Te Papa’s website.

Scientists examined the squid’s general anatomical features, took measurements, removed the stomach (and its contents), beak and other mouthparts; and determined the sex of the squid.

Colossal squid are found in Antarctic waters and are not related to giant squid (Architeuthis species) found around the coast of New Zealand.

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