Wellington, New Zealand —- Marine scientists in New Zealand on Tuesday were thawing the corpse of the largest squid ever caught to try to unlock the secrets of one of the ocean's most mysterious beasts.

No one has ever seen a living, grown colossal squid in its natural deep ocean habitat, and scientists hope their examination of the 1,089-pound, 26-foot long colossal squid, set to begin today, will help determine how the creatures live. The thawing and examination are being broadcast live on the Internet at www.r2.co.nz/20080427/rotate-1.asx.

The squid, caught accidentally by fishermen last year, was removed from its freezer Monday and put into a tank filled with saline solution. Ice was added to the tank Tuesday to slow the thawing process so the outer flesh wouldn't rot, said Carol Diebel, director of natural environment at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.

After it is thawed, scientists will examine the squid's anatomical features, remove the stomach, beak and other mouth parts, take tissue samples for DNA analysis and determine its sex, Diebel said.

The squid is believed to be the largest specimen of the rare deep-water species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, or colossal squid, ever caught, said Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at Auckland's University of Technology.

O'Shea said it would make calamari rings the size of tractor tires if cut up.

Fishermen off the coast of Antarctica accidentally netted the squid in February 2007.