Only six spade-toothed whales have ever been documented, making the find particularly significant. <\/p>
Marine mammal experts were astounded to find the world\u2019s rarest whale washed up on a beach near Taieri Mouth, New Zealand. <\/strong><\/p> Experts from the country\u2019s\u00a0Department of Conservation<\/a>\u00a0(DOC) and Te Papa<\/a> believe the five-metre-long male was a spade-toothed whale (Mesoplodon traversii<\/em>). This species is so rare that it has never been seen alive and very little is known about it.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cSpade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times,” says DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies.<\/p> “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.\u201d <\/p> The remains were carefully removed from the beach by a local contractor, supported by Otago Museum and members of the local r\u016bnaka\u00a0(M\u0101ori council).\u00a0<\/p> 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 M\u0101ori culture \u2013 these animals are considered taoka, or treasured.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cIt is important to ensure appropriate respect for this taoka is shown through the shared journey of learning, applying m\u0101tauraka M\u0101ori as we discover more about this rare species,\u201d says\u00a0Te R\u016bnanga \u014d \u014ctakou\u00a0chair Nadia Wesley-Smith. M\u0101tauraka M\u0101ori is the traditional\u00a0wisdom\u00a0that has been passed down from the ancestors for many years.<\/p>