Scientists examine colossal squid

Scientists in New Zealand are examining a rare intact colossal squid specimen that will soon be dissected by knife.

The 10-metre (34 feet) long, half-tonne carcass has been defrosting since Monday in Wellington, after the squid was trapped in a fishing net last year.

Very little is known about colossal squid; only about 10 specimens have ever been caught and brought to shore.

"If we get ourselves a male it will be the first reported (scientific) description of the male of the species," noted Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at Auckland's University of Technology, who is among the scientific team of 10.