17.07.2024 10:50
A beaked whale, approximately 5 meters long, washed ashore near Taiari Mouth in New Zealand. According to a statement from the New Zealand Department of Conservation, "Beaked whales are one of the least known large mammal species of modern times. Only 6 documented examples have been recorded worldwide since the 1800s."
The 'failed whale', which is estimated to have only 6 examples in the world so far, has stranded in New Zealand's Otago region. In the examinations, it was stated that the stranded whale is a 'toothed whale with a paddle', and very little is known about this species.
In a statement from the Department of Conservation (DOC) of New Zealand, it was reported that "on Thursday, July 4th, it was reported that a species of toothed whale, about 5 meters long, stranded near Taiari Mouth to the personnel of the Conservation Department (DOC). As a result of the examinations and consultations with DOC marine mammal experts, it was understood that this creature is a male toothed whale with a paddle. Almost nothing is known about this species."
Gabe Davies, DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager, said, "Toothed whales with paddles are one of the least known large mammal species of modern times. Only 6 examples have been documented worldwide since the 1800s, and all of them except one are from New Zealand."
"CONFIRMATION OF FINAL SPECIES IDENTITY MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS OR MONTHS"
DOC stated that the process of determining the species with genetic samples could take several weeks or a month, and said, "Genetic samples were sent to the curators of the New Zealand Marine Mammal Tissue Archive at Auckland University. Processing the DNA and confirming the final species identity may take several weeks or months. This species was first identified in 1874 from only one lower jaw and two teeth collected from Pitt Island in Rekohu (Chatham Islands). The whale is currently being kept in a cold storage facility to preserve the remains until the next steps are decided."