July 16th 2024.
A rare, beaked whale has recently been discovered on a rural beach in New Zealand, causing quite a stir among experts and conservationists. This particular species, known as the spade-toothed whale, is believed to be the world's rarest type of whale and has only been documented a handful of times since the 1800s. The Department of Conservation was alerted when the five-meter long mammal washed ashore near Taiari Mouth, and upon further inspection and consultation with specialists, it was confirmed to be a male spade-toothed whale.
Gabe Davies, the DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager, expressed the significance of this discovery, stating that spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times. He also added that out of the six documented samples, five have been found in New Zealand, making this finding even more monumental from a scientific and conservation standpoint.
The Department of Conservation is now working in partnership with the Local Council Te Rūnanga ō Ōtakou to determine the next steps for the whale's remains, taking into consideration traditional Maori practices. The whale is currently being stored in a cold area until a decision is made on what to do next. This presents a unique opportunity for researchers, as this is the first time a spade-toothed whale has been found in such a fresh state, allowing for a thorough dissection to take place.
However, due to the rarity and international importance of this discovery, discussions on the next steps will take some time. In the meantime, genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland, who is responsible for the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive, to confirm the species ID. This process may take several weeks or even months to complete.
The spade-toothed whale was first described in 1874, based on a lower jaw and two teeth found on Pitt Island/Rangiauria. It wasn't until more recent findings, including skeletal remains and a description of the species' color pattern, that scientists were able to confirm it as a new species. The whale has since been carefully removed from the beach and placed in cold storage until the next steps are decided.
Despite these recent discoveries, very little is known about the spade-toothed whale, and it is currently classified as "data deficient" in the New Zealand Threat Classification System. The first intact specimen was found in 2010 in Bay of Plenty, and another stranding in 2017 in Gisborne added one more specimen to the collection. With the latest discovery, researchers hope to learn more about this elusive and rare species and continue to work towards its conservation.
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