0:00:04 > 0:00:08The deep ocean. The final frontier.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14It's the largest wilderness on our planet
0:00:14 > 0:00:17and a place we've only just begun to explore.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26The deeper we go, the more astonishing the life forms we find.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35But there is one legendary monster of the deep
0:00:35 > 0:00:39that has, so far, remained hidden from our cameras...
0:00:41 > 0:00:42..the giant squid.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49For centuries, they've been creatures of myth and mystery.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Sailors have told stories of huge squid,
0:00:57 > 0:00:5918 metres long,
0:00:59 > 0:01:04and so powerful, they could drag whole ships into the inky depths
0:01:04 > 0:01:06or wage war with whales,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09in a true clash of the titans.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15They are one of the Earth's last great enigmas.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25But off the east coast of Japan,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28an international team of scientists and film-makers
0:01:28 > 0:01:30are hoping to change all that.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Using the most advanced submersibles,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38they hope to find and film a living giant squid,
0:01:38 > 0:01:411,000 metres under the surface of the sea.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49They have recruited the best minds
0:01:49 > 0:01:52from many different fields of expertise
0:01:52 > 0:01:57to try and pull off something thought, by most, to be impossible.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04And though they don't yet know it,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06their mission will be more successful
0:02:06 > 0:02:09than they could ever have imagined.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- Oh, my God!- Yes!- Oh, my God!
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Japan's Ogasawara Islands,
0:02:29 > 0:02:321,000 kilometres south of Tokyo.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44These volcanic, subtropical islands are the Galapagos of the Orient,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47home to unique plants and animals.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51It's a World Heritage Site
0:02:51 > 0:02:55and the surrounding seas are as pristine as any, anywhere.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Summer 2012.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09These waters are the destination
0:03:09 > 0:03:14for one of the most ambitious expeditions ever undertaken -
0:03:14 > 0:03:17to dive to the greatest depth possible
0:03:17 > 0:03:20to observe and film the giant squid.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25150 years ago,
0:03:25 > 0:03:30the immense carcass of a giant squid was brought ashore.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Scientists were amazed to discover
0:03:33 > 0:03:36that this mythical creature actually existed.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Soon after, other specimens were recovered,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44the largest of them measuring 18 metres.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Most of their length is taken up
0:03:47 > 0:03:50by two exceptionally long tentacles
0:03:50 > 0:03:52that extended beyond its eight arms.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59Such specimens intensified the scientists' desire to see one alive.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05For marine biologists and wildlife film-makers,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09filming one of these remarkable animals became a kind of holy grail.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Now, after more than a decade of research and collaboration,
0:04:30 > 0:04:3550 top scientists, engineers, operators and support staff,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37from 11 countries,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40have joined together for this deep-sea adventure.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Their Deep Rover submersible has an acrylic pressure hull
0:04:46 > 0:04:49that provides an almost uninterrupted view
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and can take them a kilometre down.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01It's equipped with a camera that has taken two years to perfect.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Down in the darkness, it needs to be
0:05:03 > 0:05:07several hundred times more sensitive than normal HD cameras.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14A second state-of-the-art submersible, Triton, is also here.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16The deep-sea equipment is ready to go.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26OK, this is a record of where we've found parts of giant squid.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29In the command centre,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32the scientists make final preparations for the dives.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35And were these all around 660 metres...?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Yes, those...but, usually...
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Dr Tsunemi Kubodera,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42from Japan's National Museum For Nature And Science,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44heads the team.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46He is a world expert on the giant squid,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50and this expedition is the culmination of a lifetime's work.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58TRANSLATION: We know nothing about where or how it lives -
0:05:58 > 0:06:03a gigantic creature surrounded in mystery,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05but that's the attraction for me.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Dr Kubodera is not alone in his fascination
0:06:10 > 0:06:12for these elusive giants.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Dr Steve O'Shea is from New Zealand.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25He has already been on five expeditions
0:06:25 > 0:06:30and was the first scientist to closely examine a baby giant squid.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34He's also very optimistic.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37We've got a really good chance of capturing that image,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40of the giant squid live on film.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46American, Dr Edith Widder, is a world expert on bioluminescence.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54She plans to use this almost magical living glow
0:06:54 > 0:06:57to attract a giant squid.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01She, too, is confident that they're on the right trail.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05I can't imagine that there are that many giant squid sightings
0:07:05 > 0:07:08in this one little area
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and I think it improves our chances enormously.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14The team is concentrating their search in an area of ocean
0:07:14 > 0:07:18where parts of giant squid carcasses have occasionally been found.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27The expedition reaches its destination,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30east of Ogasawara's Chichijima Island.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Dr Kubodera will make the first exploratory dive.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- 1,000? Are you sure?- Positive.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Although he has been studying squid for 40 years,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51this is the first time he's been in a submersible.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- Are you OK?- Yeah.- You can hold on the corner here.- OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01He'll be descending into an alien world.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09That's hatch secure, ready to move...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11'OK, Roger, starting winch now.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Triton weighs eight tons.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29It needs carefully coordinated teamwork to launch it safely.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39That's the safety brief complete, hatch secure.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Life support's OK and we're ready to dive.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Trying venting now.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45'Copy that. Vent's open now.'
0:08:47 > 0:08:49OK, let's go.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50- Going down!- OK.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Air is released from the ballast tank
0:08:55 > 0:08:59and Triton gently sinks below the waves.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13It's the beginning of an eight-hour adventure into the unknown.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28Surface, surface, Triton depth 200 metres,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30life support OK. Over.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Now, they are entering a strange part of the sea,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37between 200 and 1,000 metres,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41known to marine biologists as the Twilight Zone.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49To the human eye, it's totally dark,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53but animals living here have their own ways of seeing.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58At these depths, beyond the reach of the sun,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00most creatures generate their own light.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Bioluminescence.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18A flash of light could frighten away an enemy, reassure an ally,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21or tempt prey closer.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28We don't yet understand these complex light signals,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30but they must be crucial
0:10:30 > 0:10:33for the animals struggling to survive down here.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38500 metres down.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Here, the water pressure would crush a human swimmer.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Oh, oh!
0:10:44 > 0:10:46But there is life.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51A strange jellyfish comes into view.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56There's something inside it.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Oh, wow, it's alive!
0:11:01 > 0:11:04This live fish is a meal for later.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Food is scarce at these depths,
0:11:06 > 0:11:11so animals catch things when they can and digest them slowly.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13It's a challenging place to live.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24Oh!
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Oh, shark!
0:11:28 > 0:11:31THEY CONFER
0:11:31 > 0:11:34The longfin mako shark is a deep-sea specialist.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37It's two metres long, with enormous eyes.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Eyes that can detect the faintest traces of light
0:11:44 > 0:11:47and help the shark to find food.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53It finds any glow intriguing
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and the submersible, with its array of lights, seems to fascinate it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13Finding a predator on this first dive convinces Dr Kubodera
0:12:13 > 0:12:15that they're in a promising spot.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- How was it?- Oh, we saw...
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- some bioluminescence. - Bioluminescence?
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- They can never really get that. Isn't that beautiful?- Yeah.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- Was it shallow or deep? - It's 400 metres.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34They're sure that giant squid
0:12:34 > 0:12:37are living somewhere below them in the Twilight Zone,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40but finding and filming them is a different matter.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Time for Dr Widder's masterpiece.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Come on, Eddie, please.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58She hopes her electrically luminescent jellyfish
0:12:58 > 0:13:01will trick a giant squid into revealing itself.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07She rigs it, like a piece of bait,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10in front of an unmanned camera, called Medusa,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12which can remain underwater,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15recording continuously, for up to 30 hours.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Special red light will help make it less threatening
0:13:21 > 0:13:22to creatures in the deep.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27The Medusa is very stealthy, because it's quiet,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29there's no thrusters on it
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and it uses red light that should be invisible to the animals
0:13:32 > 0:13:36and so, it's as unobtrusive as we can make it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Medusa will be set adrift on a 700-metre tether,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45with a marker float.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49For a day and a night,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52it will be the team's secret eye in the Twilight Zone.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00As it sinks, Dr Widder's electric jellyfish
0:14:00 > 0:14:03begins to emit flashing blue lights.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10It was modelled on this Atolla jellyfish.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16It strobes in a circular sequence, like a neon sign...
0:14:20 > 0:14:23..a pattern that's thought to attract predatory squid.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35This footage was shot when Dr Widder tested her electric jellyfish
0:14:35 > 0:14:36off the coast of California.
0:14:38 > 0:14:44A deep-sea squid, over a metre long, investigates and attacks.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Giant squid might well hunt in the same way.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52The dream would be to see a giant squid come in and attack this thing.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57And I just hope it doesn't like it too much and try to take it away.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Will this trick of light attract a giant squid?
0:15:01 > 0:15:05It'll be at least 30 hours before Dr Widder and the team find out.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Evidence that the Ogasawaras might be a giant squid hotspot
0:15:20 > 0:15:22has been building since 2002.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30The first clues came from another deep-sea giant -
0:15:30 > 0:15:32a sperm whale.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42Up to 18 metres long, these huge whales dive to exceptional depths,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44remaining below for over an hour.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Proof that they encounter giant squid here
0:15:53 > 0:15:57was discovered on a sperm whale when it surfaced after a dive.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04Dr Kubodera recognised the pattern of circular scars under its eye,
0:16:04 > 0:16:09almost certainly made by the suckers on the tentacle of a giant squid.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17He obtained an even more astonishing photograph.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22It showed a rope-like object wrapped around a whale's head.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27A tentacle as long as this must have belonged to a giant squid.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35These clues suggested that giant battles between squids and whales
0:16:35 > 0:16:37were taking place in the deep.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39And they encouraged Dr Kubodera
0:16:39 > 0:16:42to look more closely in the seas around the Ogasawaras.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49He teamed up with deep-sea fishermen in the area,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53who catch swordfish using very long lines.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01He attached a stills camera to the end of a fishing line,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04hoping to get a picture of the giant squid.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Over and over again,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10he lowered his camera to a depth of several hundred metres...
0:17:10 > 0:17:11and waited.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24In 2004, he was hauling up his camera as usual.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28TRANSLATION: There's something white.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34Here it comes. It's a giant squid tentacle!
0:17:43 > 0:17:47This tentacle measured a whopping six metres.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51TRANSLATION: It's still alive, it's still sticky!
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Look at the suckers!
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I wonder if it's all right to touch it.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Its enormous owner must have been swimming below the boat
0:18:07 > 0:18:09only a short while earlier.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17But had it recorded anything?
0:18:21 > 0:18:24ALL: Oh!
0:18:24 > 0:18:26EXCITED CHATTER
0:18:26 > 0:18:28These are the actual photographs.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30A sequence of stills of the giant,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33just before it lost its tentacle.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42Over the next eight years, he braved bad weather and stormy seas.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49But in spite of improvements to his camera,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52there were no further breakthroughs.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54He was baffled.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59But over the years,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03other reported finds of the remains of giant squid revealed a pattern.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10They all came from the east side of Chichijima Island
0:19:10 > 0:19:14and were mostly hauled up from the same depth - 600 metres.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19The habitat of the giant squid was being narrowed down.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26With Medusa and its electric jellyfish in place,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Dr Steve O'Shea now unwraps his approach to the problem.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35He plans to lure a giant squid into view
0:19:35 > 0:19:39with what he hopes will be an irresistibly attractive smell.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44He's using a piece of giant squid
0:19:44 > 0:19:46that was picked up on a beach in New Zealand,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and then frozen for preservation.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Although it's a valuable specimen,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Dr O'Shea is going to destroy it by sticking it in a blender.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05The resultant squid juice should contain a very special ingredient.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07We're expecting there to be a chemical in there,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09you might like to call it a pheromone,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12we're just going to call it the chemical at this point in time,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14that we're going to squirt into the water
0:20:14 > 0:20:17and, hopefully, we're going to attract squid to the submersible.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20So instead of seeing a squid just swim on past,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24we want it to come straight to us and play with us, fall in love with us,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26love potion number nine, right there.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29It's a giant con trick
0:20:29 > 0:20:34to make a squid believe that Triton is a member of the opposite sex.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Once the massive syringe is attached to the front of the sub,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44they're ready to give it a go.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59Ooh, yeah! Oh, yeah, oh, yeah!
0:21:01 > 0:21:06They'll descend to 600 metres before releasing the first dose.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Surface, surface, this is Triton.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15We're at 500 metres,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18now descending to 600.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21This is giant squid territory and we're in here, we're looking out,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23I want to know what's out there looking in,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26we're lit up like a Christmas tree right now.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33So we'll try it here and let's just see what's out there.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Triton's arm will depress the plunger in the syringe.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43The pilot needs a very steady hand.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48But will it work at all at these depths?
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Ooh...
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Oh, yes, there she goes.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Oh, beautiful! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Look at that. Another beautiful cloud of ground-up squid
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and any second now, when we least expect it,
0:22:17 > 0:22:22something is going to lunge out of this blue and attack us.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26The squid potion slowly disperses into the deep sea,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29carrying its chemical message with it.
0:22:37 > 0:22:3930 minutes pass.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43It's just... patience.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Squid, squid!- Squid!- Look, isn't it beautiful, little fella.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Hello, squidy! Come on, baby.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Oh, yes. Yes, please, please, please.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56What are we looking at?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Oh, baby, please.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03You see the squid? Wait, wait, wait. Where is it? Is it...?
0:23:03 > 0:23:04There's a squid. Squid, right there.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Squid! Squid! Squid! Squid! Baby, come to us!
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Oh, into the camera!
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Oh, squid! Another squid! Look at this, look at this. Oh!
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Look at it, right in front, little wee fellow.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- It came and swam into the juice. - Yeah.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22They aren't giants,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26but this suggests that many species of squid have a keen sense of smell.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34This is very nice.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36THEY CONFER
0:23:40 > 0:23:42So, perhaps it's just a matter of time.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46We're just waiting for the big one to come, sniff us out in the water
0:23:46 > 0:23:49and then, come and say hello, be mister friendly.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Now, that is how I'd love to see giant squid hovering in the water.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56OK? Arm's going up, but then, the arm is going down.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01It's been a great start.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Whoa! This is...oh!
0:24:09 > 0:24:12The following day, Medusa, with the unmanned camera,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14is brought back to the surface.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Everything's still in order.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29This is Medusa's heart, the camera's hard drive,
0:24:29 > 0:24:30but what does it hold?
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Has the electric jellyfish worked its magic?
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Oh, oh! What is that?
0:24:49 > 0:24:52This is not a squid tentacle.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55It's a siphonophore, a type of colonial jellyfish.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59But then...
0:25:04 > 0:25:05Oh, my God!
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Oh, my God! Are you kidding me?
0:25:13 > 0:25:14It's a huge arm.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17What's...what's happened?
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- OK, so... - This is a jellyfish or something.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Oh, it's coming!
0:25:25 > 0:25:27HE LAUGHS
0:25:27 > 0:25:29- OK!- OK.
0:25:30 > 0:25:31So it's good?
0:25:31 > 0:25:36Oh, it must be, it must be!
0:25:36 > 0:25:37You're not kidding me?
0:25:37 > 0:25:39No, no, it must be a giant squid.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Because there are so many suckers
0:25:41 > 0:25:44and very long tentacles...long arms,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48- so...it's amazing.- You've done it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51This is the first-ever moving image of a giant squid
0:25:51 > 0:25:53in its natural environment.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- I want more!- Is there more? - Yeah, we need another shot.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10ALL: Oh!
0:26:10 > 0:26:12HE LAUGHS
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Medusa's alluring glow has succeeded
0:26:18 > 0:26:21beyond everyone's hopes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Over three underwater sessions,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26it captures five different images of the giant squid,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29all between a depth of 600 and 800 metres.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41And it saves the best for last.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43- Oh!- Look at that!
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- Oh, bang!- Oh, my God!
0:26:46 > 0:26:48THEY LAUGH
0:26:57 > 0:27:01We could put that on loop. Put it on loop, so we can...
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- It's coming in.- That's how the squid would normally...
0:27:08 > 0:27:14- It also uses all tentacles, all arms when they attack larger prey.- Yeah.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19- Well, he thinks that Medusa is... - Medusa is the prey.- Yeah.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23It attacks with arms held closely together
0:27:23 > 0:27:25to lessen the resistance of the water.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33The star-shaped area, between the arms, is its mouth.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36A giant squid has been caught in the act of hunting.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- That's wonderful.- Wonderful!
0:27:48 > 0:27:52These remarkable pictures make the team more determined than ever
0:27:52 > 0:27:55to see a giant squid with their own eyes.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02I love seeing the footage on the Medusa, it's amazing,
0:28:02 > 0:28:07but I really want to see it first hand and I know you do as well.
0:28:07 > 0:28:08Oh, of course!
0:28:08 > 0:28:13I just want to watch giant squid by my eyes from submersible.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16That is...just I want it, now.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Time is not on their side.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27They still need a fail-safe way
0:28:27 > 0:28:30to tempt a giant squid in front of their submersible.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Dr Kubodera watches the Medusa image over and over again,
0:28:35 > 0:28:40noting, in particular, the direction from which the giant squid appears.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43It comes from below, at a particular angle,
0:28:43 > 0:28:45with its eye focussed on the target.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50This confirms his hunch that it would appear in that way.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59The giant squid's eye is bigger than a football.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02It's not just one of the largest eyes of any living creature,
0:29:02 > 0:29:04but also the most highly developed.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12The most sensitive cells on its retina
0:29:12 > 0:29:15are concentrated in the lower area.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18That means the giant squid's eyesight is most acute
0:29:18 > 0:29:20when it's looking upwards.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28It probably searches for the silhouette of its prey from below
0:29:28 > 0:29:31and then, attacks from out of the darkness.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37The image captured by Medusa confirms this.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48If Dr Kubodera did the same thing,
0:29:48 > 0:29:49in front of the submersible,
0:29:49 > 0:29:53would they be able to see the giant squid's approach?
0:30:00 > 0:30:04This is the finale to Dr Kubodera's decade-long quest.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12TRANSLATION: We'll take this large diamondback squid and use it as bait.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Maybe we can lure in a giant squid, that's the plan.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22Dr Kubodera thinks this species of deep-sea squid, the diamondback,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25is the giant squid's favourite food.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34They'll tether an extra-large one, five metres from the submersible.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39They make tiny adjustments
0:30:39 > 0:30:43so that the lure's speed and posture mimics natural prey.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52TRANSLATION: I hope it will spot the squid's silhouette from below
0:30:52 > 0:30:54and recognises it as food.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Then, maybe it will come for it.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02They've also attached a blinking LED to help attract the squid.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11The white light is turned off
0:31:11 > 0:31:14and the red light is turned on.
0:31:14 > 0:31:15They're plunged into darkness.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21Only the blinking LED is visible to the human eye.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27This will be the ultimate test of the high-sensitivity HD camera.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32With the cabin lights off,
0:31:32 > 0:31:36the sub is scarcely visible in the Twilight Zone.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41But there's a hitch.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44The current becomes unexpectedly strong
0:31:44 > 0:31:49and the diamondback bait drifts too close to the submersible.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53TRANSLATION: It's too close, we have to keep a distance.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55SUB CREW CONFERS
0:32:00 > 0:32:03The pilot changes their speed.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- Fully out?- Yeah, fully out.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11So the line is straight, away from the submersible.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13OK, that's all right.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Now, they're managing to maintain a five-metre distance,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20so as not to scare the giant squid.
0:32:20 > 0:32:21There, OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26TEAM CONFERS
0:32:28 > 0:32:31TRANSLATION: The bait is good, the place is good.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34It's good to come.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39This is the ideal prey.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41So, now is the time.
0:32:43 > 0:32:44I'm ready.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52'Passing through 460. Life support is OK.'
0:32:55 > 0:32:57They still haven't reached the depth
0:32:57 > 0:33:01where Medusa's remote camera got its shot of the giant.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08It's dark and silent and Dr Kubodera is getting sleepy.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10- Tired, doctor?- Pardon?
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- Tired?- More sleepy.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Passing through 600 metres. Life support OK.
0:33:19 > 0:33:25Two hours after the dive began, they reach 630 metres.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31To stay awake, Dr Kubodera wipes the hull.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Oh, oh, oh!
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Suddenly, out of the darkness,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39something huge starts to attack the bait.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47TRANSLATION: Can you turn the light?
0:33:52 > 0:33:55That's incredible!
0:33:55 > 0:33:56Light! Light, please!
0:33:56 > 0:33:59- Light!- White light! White light, please!
0:34:04 > 0:34:07A giant squid has finally revealed itself.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13It's not only massive and surreal,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15but dazzlingly beautiful.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31It has the one-metre-long diamondback squid
0:34:31 > 0:34:34firmly in its grasp.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36It remains in the spotlight.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39It's not going to abandon a good meal.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43It is at least three metres long.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55TRANSLATION: What a surprise!
0:34:55 > 0:34:57It really, really came.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06It's shining like gold. Oh, wow!
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Look how that body shines.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15That the giant squid should shine like burnished gold
0:35:15 > 0:35:20is something no-one, not even Dr Kubodera, had expected.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31TRANSLATION: Look! Look at that eye!
0:35:34 > 0:35:37It scans us with its enormous eye.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39What can it be thinking?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47He blinked his eye.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49One huge wink.
0:35:58 > 0:36:04OK. Stay here as long as we can take it.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07But there's a problem.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09- It's sinking!- Yes, sir. 690.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11We're sinking.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14It's the two are very heavy, I'm sorry.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19The giant squid is sinking lower and lower with the prey in its grasp.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26The submersible has to follow, down into the darkness.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42800 metres. Eight, zero, zero metres.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45We're falling while the giant squid eats our bait.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Food must be a very precious thing down here.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- It's eating him.- Yeah, eating it!
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Grasping its meal with its numerous suckers,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05it clearly has no intention of letting go.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Then, its behaviour begins to change.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23It starts to undulate its long arms.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33It looks as if it's trying to swim upwards,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37perhaps attempting to take the prey away from the light.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46It propels itself by forcing water
0:37:46 > 0:37:49through the short white tube next to its eye.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Although it appears to be swimming slowly,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07this gigantic creature has huge power.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26883 metres. Life support OK.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34The submersible is approaching its 1,000-metre limit.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41For safety, the pilot must now slow their descent.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44But the change seems to startle the squid.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- It's leaving.- Oh, it's leaving. - It's leaving!
0:38:54 > 0:38:55Oh, it's leaving!
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Oh, oh, it's leaving!
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Go away!
0:39:06 > 0:39:09It retreats into its world of darkness.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Oh!- The giant squid has just left.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36The encounter lasted 23 minutes,
0:39:36 > 0:39:40the most moving minutes in Dr Kubodera's 40 years of research.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50It's time to return to the surface and the rest of the team.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21And he's gone and done it and he's gone and got the giant squid,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23so I can't wait to get him back on board
0:40:23 > 0:40:26and actually see the footage that he's got. It's fantastic.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Oh, he's got to be the happiest guy alive.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32I'm so thrilled it was him. I mean, he's just got to be over the moon.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I can't wait to see what he got!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37THEY CHEER
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Oh, everybody's waiting.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- Very happy to see you.- Very happy.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:40:49 > 0:40:51This is great, Doctor!
0:40:54 > 0:40:59- Oh, we're looking forward to it. Congratulations!- Yeah. Thank you.
0:40:59 > 0:41:00What took you so long?
0:41:05 > 0:41:10This first glimpse of the planet's most elusive large animal
0:41:10 > 0:41:13is a revelation in itself.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14But it also gives an insight
0:41:14 > 0:41:18into how the giant squid survives at great depths.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31With a closer look,
0:41:31 > 0:41:36we can see two short arms with small suckers.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41This particular giant seems to have lost its long tentacles,
0:41:41 > 0:41:45but these could be them, in the process of regeneration.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50If they grow back to their original length,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54the squid could be twice as long as the sub - seven to eight metres.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02TRANSLATION: It was incredible! It was so large and beautiful.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07It is likely that the giant squid has moved into the deep ocean,
0:42:07 > 0:42:12because competition in the shallow seas is so intense.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17But it's possible it found itself in an even harsher environment
0:42:17 > 0:42:20than the one it left behind.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25To survive, it has to feed on anything it finds.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28The greatest surprise for me, still,
0:42:28 > 0:42:34is that a squid of this gigantic size exists, here in the deep sea,
0:42:34 > 0:42:35here, on Earth.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43These amazing images show how well squids have adapted
0:42:43 > 0:42:46to life in the dark waters of the deep sea.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Modern technology and human ingenuity
0:42:55 > 0:43:00have given us a small window into a much larger mystery.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Our first encounter with this magnificent animal reminds us
0:43:06 > 0:43:09that the furthest reaches of our oceans
0:43:09 > 0:43:11and their extraordinary inhabitants,
0:43:11 > 0:43:15remain a vast and unexplored world.