Comments on: Colossal squid on display gets check-up

By: Nikau

Nikau — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:32:32 +0000

How big is the colossal squid?

By: Tonio

Tonio — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:18:38 +0000

I was watching about the frozen colossal squid on cable and I was rather offended and disturbed when the voice-over narrated how the the scientists noticed a flaw in the design of the squid. I thought it was rather arrogant of the scientists to ascribe error to God who created the squid. Do they really believe they can out-do God and design a better squid?

By: Toor

Toor — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:45:50 +0000

Why didnt you lend the squid alive to a aquariam?

By: Luiza

Luiza — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:36:50 +0000

I wonder if the squid will “tour” after august 2012….

By: George

George — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:18:31 +0000

Hi! This is maybe the most intriguing website I’ve ever been across! In terms of the propylene glycol, is it a “full strength” solution? Or, do you dilute it with water? I’m interested in preserving biological specimens in glycol, rather than formalin or alcohol. Please let me know! Many thanks!

By: Smivs

Smivs — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:51:49 +0000

I am very glad to hear the old girls seems to be keeping well.
Congrats to everyone there for doing such a first class job.

By: pamelalovis

pamelalovis — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:13:44 +0000

Thanks Imogen – you are not alone!

By: pamelalovis

pamelalovis — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:12:56 +0000

argh! please don’t try this at home Kristelle … we need you too much!

By: pamelalovis

pamelalovis — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:11:26 +0000

You’re right – you can use glycol as an antifreeze in car radiators.

We first preserved the colossal squid in formalin. But formalin is quite a hazardous chemical and for safety reasons it cannot be used in public spaces – such as Te Papa’s exhibition galleries.

So for public display in the exhibition the formalin had to be replaced with another liquid preservative. The team decided to use glycol. Propylene glycol is a colourless, nearly odourless, syrupy liquid derived from natural gas. No one, as far as we know, has ever used glycol to store such a large biological specimen for a long time so it was a bit of an experiment.

The check-ups our conservator Robert did last week seem to show that the colossal squid is in good shape and is not deteriorating – so the glycol is doing it’s job as a preservative and all is well.

By: Designer

Designer — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:12:25 +0000

Wow,
Awesome guys, Why glycol? Isn’t that what people put into car radiators?