World’s rarest whale found washed ashore
Studying the most unique animals expands our understanding of planet Earth and its inhabitants.
That is why the scientific community was buzzing when they discovered the world’s rarest whale on a beach.
ScienceAlert says people found the spade-toothed whale in New Zealand’s Otago province on July 4, 2024. Local experts are conducting a DNA investigation to confirm its classification.
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DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies said verification will turn this incident into a highly significant discovery.
What do we know about the world’s rarest whale?
'World's rarest whale' washes up on New Zealand beach https://t.co/HCvWI7FdTg
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 16, 2024
The UK-based charity called the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) explained the spade-toothed beaked whale’s significance.
Article continues after this advertisementThe WDC says it is “the least known of all the world’s whales.” People have never seen them in the wild, but most assume they have traits similar to other members of the Mesoplodon genus.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation website says the species was first described in 1874 from a lower jaw and two teeth from Pitt Island, Rēkohu (Chatham Islands).
Two other samples found on Whakāri/White Island and Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile) confirmed the existence of a new species.
The website shared more information from DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies:
“Since the 1800s, only 6 samples have ever been documented worldwide, and all but one of these was from New Zealand. From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge.”
That is why scientists are dissecting the spade-toothed whale to uncover as much information as possible from the elusive species.
The Te Rūnanga ō Ōtākou is the organizational structure of the local Ōtākou marae people in the Otago province. It will work with the DC to plan what to do with the world’s rarest whale after the scientists’ work.
“It is important to ensure appropriate respect for this taoka is shown through the shared journey of learning, applying mātauraka Māori as we discover more about this rare species,” Te Rūnanga ō Ōtakou chair Nadia Wesley-Smith said.
The word “taoka” means “treasured possession” in the South Island Māori language. Also, the “mātauraka Māori” refers to the peoples’ ancestral knowledge.
