Famously elusive, the giant squid (Architeuthis dux) was finally captured alive for the first time when, in March 2002, an international scientific team led by marine biologist Dr Steve O’Shea announced that they had captured seven juvenile specimens off the coast of New Zealand. Measuring 9-13 mm (0.35-0.05 in), these tiny but highly significant individuals sadly did not survive long in captivity, but were briefly filmed there by the Discovery Channel while still alive. Although no adult specimen has survived capture, it is believed that Archie - the largest and most complete specimen ever found - was initially alive when trapped in deep sea trawling nets off the Falkland Islands in March 2004. Archie, who measures 8.5 m (28 ft) long, is currently on display in the Natural History Museum, London, UK.
