Nice Work, Stupid Scientists

Japanese researchers have just released the first ever video footage of a giant squid in its natural habitat. Cool, right? Well, it would have been if they hadn't KILLED IT trying to capture it.

From reports I read, it was a small female, not yet fully grown. And it put up a tremendous fight, so much so that it sustained serious injuries and died after they got it aboard. What kind of heartless people are these researchers? Don't they know they're supposed to be stewards and protectors? Hacks.

If you want to watch the footage (not graphic), here it is.

Squid and octopus are among my favorite animals. Do you know how smart they are? Octopus in captivity can solve puzzles, navigate mazes, open jars, and are known to sneak out of their habitats at night to hunt crabs in other tanks (returning to their own before scientists arrive in the morning). Some scientists argue that they have individual personalities, can play, use tools, plan, and learn from one another (as in, one octopus shows another which button to push to get a treat).

And then of course, there is the amazing ability octopus have of changing shape/color instantly: