Watch: In rare sighting, giant squid washes ashore alive in Japan

The squid was found on Wednesday at the Ugu beach in Obama, Fukui Prefecture. On Friday, the news agency AFP tweeted a video of the squid washed ashore.

Published on: Apr 22, 2022, 15:19:52 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Harshit Sabarwal, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a rare sighting, a giant squid was found alive on a shore in western Japan. The squid was found on Wednesday at the Ugu beach in Obama, Fukui Prefecture. On Friday, the news agency AFP tweeted a video of the squid washed ashore.

Giant squids live in the deep sea, and it is unusual for one to be washed ashore alive. (Twitter/AFP)

It is more than three metres (10 feet) long and weighs approximately 80 kilograms. Giant squids live in the deep sea, and it is unusual for one to be washed ashore alive.

A report by Japanese daily Mainichi citing the Obama Municipal Government said that the squid was still alive when it was found.

The cephalopod has now been shifted to the Echizen Matsushima Aquarium in Sakai, the above report added and showed a video where officials were taking measurements of the creature.

The giant squids that live deep underwater remain largely elusive. They are the largest cephalopods known to date and can grow up to 13 metres in length.

Their life span is short and they can only live up to five to six years, according to researchers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.