"Huge thing"

Rare whale washes up on beach in New Zealand

This Bahamonde beaked whale was washed up on the beach near Dunedin (New Zealand).(Bild: New Zealand Department of Conservation)

One of the rarest whales in the world has washed up on a beach in New Zealand. To date, only a handful of specimens of the so-called Bahamonde beaked whale are known to science. The recently dead animal is to be dissected.

"Bahamonde beaked whales are one of the least known large mammal species of modern times," said Gebe Davies from the local Department of Conservation (DOC). "From a scientific and animal welfare perspective, this is a huge deal." The dead whale, which was discovered near Dunedin on the South Island, is currently in cold storage to preserve its remains. Genetic samples have already been sent for analysis.

Bahamonde beaked whales are one of the least known large mammal species of modern times. From a scientific and animal welfare perspective, this is a huge deal.

Gebe Davies von der örtlichen Naturschutzbehörde

Never before observed alive in the sea
The carcass is about five meters long. Little is known about the Bahamonde beaked whale. It lives in the southern Pacific Ocean and the animals have never been documented alive in the sea. Jaw parts and teeth of this whale species were first found in 1874, and two complete specimens were found for the first time in 2010. The mother and her calf had washed ashore on New Zealand's North Island and died a short time later.

Characteristics include the dark region around the eyes, a white belly, dark fins and a dark back and beak. Earlier finds have been confused with the Camperdown whale.