"World's Rarest Whale" Found Washed Up On Beach
A rare whale, believed to be a spade-toothed whale, was found dead on a beach in New Zealand earlier this month. The elusive species has never been seen alive, and scientists know almost nothing about it. The whale washed ashore near Taiari Mouth in Otago on July 4 and was identified by its distinctive colour patterns and skull shape.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has placed the remains in cold storage while DNA testing takes place, a process that could take several weeks. DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies emphasised the significance of this find, calling it a "very significant scientific find."
Genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland’s Cetacean Tissue Archive for final species identification. If confirmed, this will be the first time a spade-toothed whale specimen has been fresh enough to dissect.
Spade-toothed whales are among the least known large mammalian species, with only six documented samples worldwide, most of which were found in New Zealand. This particular specimen’s discovery offers a unique opportunity for researchers to learn more about the species.
Hannah Hendriks, a marine technical adviser for DOC, noted that “very little, practically nothing” is known about these whales. She added, "This is going to lead to some amazing science and world-first information." The species, first described in 1874 from a lower jaw and two teeth, has had very few documented sightings since then.
Te Rūnanga ō Ōtakou chair Nadia Wesley-Smith stated that local Māori communities would be involved in deciding the whale’s fate, ensuring respect for the sacred taonga (treasure). The collaboration aims to balance scientific discovery with cultural traditions.
This discovery could finally shed light on many unknowns about the spade-toothed whale, such as its diet, habitat, and behaviour. Given that no live sightings have ever been recorded, the information gleaned from this specimen could be groundbreaking.
The rarity of the spade-toothed whale and the lack of data about its existence make this find a remarkable event in marine biology. Researchers are hopeful that this specimen will help fill the gaps in understanding this mysterious creature of the deep Pacific Ocean.
