Marine mammal experts were astounded to find the world’s rarest whale washed up on a beach near Taieri Mouth, New Zealand.
Experts from the country’s Department of Conservation (DOC) and Te Papa believe the five-metre-long male was a spade-toothed whale (Mesoplodon traversii). This species is so rare that it has never been seen alive and very little is known about it.
“Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times," says DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies.
"Since the 1800s, only six 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.”
The remains were carefully removed from the beach by a local contractor, supported by Otago Museum and members of the local rūnaka (Māori council).
Because the carcass is still fresh, this stranding gives scientists the first ever opportunity to dissect a spade-toothed whale. But experts are carefully considering their next steps, taking into account the rarity of the species and the importance of whales in Māori culture – these animals are considered taoka, or treasured.
“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,” says Te Rūnanga ō Ōtakou chair Nadia Wesley-Smith. Mātauraka Māori is the traditional wisdom that has been passed down from the ancestors for many years.
Spade-toothed whales are a type of beaked whale. The species was first described in 1874 from a lower jaw and two teeth found on Pitt Island, Rēkohu (Chatham Islands).
The skeletons of two other spade-toothed whales found on Whakāri/White Island and Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile) were used with this first specimen to confirm this was a new species. More recently, two more whales that were found dead in Bay of Plenty (2010) and north of Gisborne (2017) allowed scientists to confirm the species’ colour pattern for the first time.
Being able to examine this new specimen could give researchers a wealth of new information about this little-known species.
For now, the animal is in cold storage so it can be preserved until a decision is made about the best next steps. Genetic testing is underway at the University of Auckland to confirm that the individual is indeed a spade-toothed whale. Confirmation could take several weeks.
Main image: DOC ranger Jim Fyfe and mana whenua ranger Tūmai Cassidy walk alongside a rare spade-toothed whale, being moved by Trevor King Earthmoving. Credit: DOC
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