Scientists have reported that the carcass of a rare beaked whale has washed ashore on a beach in New Zealand. This whale species is rarely seen, and no one has observed it in its living form.
The rarest whale in the world has washed up on a beach in New Zealand. (Photo: news-journal.com).
The 5-meter-long whale was found near the mouth of a river in the coastal province of Otago, southern New Zealand, on July 4. Marine mammal experts from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation and the Te Papa National Museum have identified it as a male beaked whale. The whale’s carcass has been placed in a cold storage facility, and genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland for DNA analysis.
Gabe Davies, the coastal operations manager in Otago for the Department of Conservation, stated: “Beaked whales are one of the least known large mammals in modern times. Since the 1800s, only six specimens of this species have been recorded worldwide. Of these, five specimens were found in New Zealand.”
According to the Department of Conservation, this whale carcass provides scientists with their first opportunity to conduct in-depth analysis of a species that is “very rare and about which little is known.”
The beaked whale was first described in 1874, based on a lower jaw and two teeth collected from the Chatham Islands, off the eastern coast of New Zealand. This specimen, along with parts of the skeleton from two other specimens found in New Zealand and Chile, helped scientists confirm a new species.
Expert Vanessa Pirotta mentioned that scientists will study the whale’s stomach contents and DNA, comparing them with data from previous specimens. This could help clarify the whale’s behavior, population numbers, and reasons for its rarity.
On December 2, scientists and cultural representatives from around the world began the process of decoding this rare whale species. This marks the first time scientists and cultural experts have performed an autopsy on a nearly intact specimen of this species, marking a breakthrough in uncovering decades-old mysteries.
“This is truly an extraordinary opportunity,” said Anton van Helden, senior marine science advisor at the Department of Conservation, with excitement. He has named this whale species after over 35 years of studying beaked whales.
Currently, scientists know very little about this whale species. It remains unclear where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound, or how their digestive system functions.
Van Helden enthusiastically added: “We may discover entirely new parasites in this whale’s body. Who knows what we will find?”
The beaked whale carcass being removed from the beach in New Zealand. (Photo: gingerapple).
Cultural Collaboration and Respect for Māori Traditions
This research process is not only scientific but is also carried out in close collaboration with the Māori community, the indigenous people of New Zealand. According to Māori beliefs, whales are considered a “taonga,” a precious treasure, seen as a gift from Tangaroa, the god of the sea.
Tumai Cassidy, a representative of the local people, stated: “For us, the whale is a sacred gift. We must cherish and honor this gift.”
Before the research commenced, scientists and Māori representatives recited karakia, a traditional prayer. Tribal members will retain the whale’s jawbone and teeth as cultural heritage, while the remaining skeleton will be displayed at a museum. 3D printing technology will be used to replicate important parts after a CT scan of the whale’s head.
Scientific Significance and the Deep Ocean Landscape
The beaked whale is believed to inhabit the South Pacific region, where the world’s deepest ocean trenches are located. Beaked whale species are often master deep divers for foraging, which may explain why they rarely surface, adding to their mystery.
This research also involves international scientists, such as Joy Reidenberg, a comparative anatomist from the Icahn School of Medicine in New York, USA. She noted: “We are not only interested in how they died, but also in how they lived. These findings could help us understand more and be applicable to humans.”
The Journey of Science and Future Discoveries
Since the first beaked whale bones were discovered in 1872 at Pitt Island, New Zealand, this species has challenged human understanding. In 2002, DNA sequencing technology confirmed it as a distinct species, but it wasn’t until 2010 that two intact specimens were discovered.
Today, with the seventh specimen, New Zealand scientists hope to open the door to unprecedented discoveries about the rarest whale species in the world and the secrets of the ocean.
Cassidy mentioned that he is building a more comprehensive picture of this species to better understand how this rare whale interacts with the ocean, the Earth’s most vital habitat.
