GIANT SQUID ON BEACH NEAR DUNEDIN

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1948, Page 4

GIANT SQUID ON BEACH NEAR DUNEDIN

40 Feet Long with 30 Feet Tentacles p.A. DUNEDIN, Jan. 29. What is thought to be a plant squid—the largest ever seen in New Zealand water's—was washed up on the isolated Pipikare-tu Beach, at the end of Otago Peninsula, early this week, at which time high seas were running.

The marine monster is partially buried in the said, and it is in a fairly advanced state of decomposition, which made it difficult to ascertain its exact shape, or, for that matter, its identity. Giant squids, which are possibly a basis for the Maoris’ Taniwha legends, have been cast up on the New Zealand coastline before, but no record exists of one to,compare with the latest arrival.

Approximate measurements of the longest tentacles —two enormous arms, which distinguish the decapod —indicate that it is slightly over thirty feet, and about the thickness of a man’s thigh. The overall length of the great grey heap of flesh is about forty feet. It has the appearance of being covered with coarse hair, but this actually is fibrous tissue, presumably resulting from the action of the sea during an estimated month or more of immersion since the creatures death. It shows no signs of mauling in a conflict, but a full examination will be impossible unless some means are devised for clearing away the sand and turning the vast flaccid bulk over. The fact that giant squids have only become scientifically accepted during the past fifty or sixty years means that comparatively little aata is available. It is possible, in view oi the fact that sperm whales, wnich feed on such cephalopods, exist m the waters south of New Zealand, that the creature has drifted north on some current. Specimens of me flesh of the monster have been obtained for zoological investigation.