In 1997, scientists strapped cameras to sperm whales to find giant squid. 7 years later, researchers finally filmed the elusive monster alive

A giant squid once lived mostly in legend. Scientists had scars, tentacles and dead specimens. They lacked clear footage of the animal alive. In 1997, researchers followed sperm whales near New Zealand’s Kaikoura Canyon. They hoped to film giant squid in the deep ocean. The camera failed. Seven years later, a baited camera near Japan captured a living giant squid. That failure helped reshape giant squid research forever.