Why scientists are marveling at a potential spade-toothed whale sighting

On July 4th, a beaked whale washed ashore on a beach in New Zealand. Researchers studied the huge animal and were surprised to discover they had come across a rare discovery: They think that the creature stranded on the shore is the elusive spade-toothed whale, a type of sea creature that has never been observed alive before.

If scientists are able to confirm that the whale is part of the rare species, this will be only the seventh spade-toothed whale specimen that has ever been examined, and the first opportunity to analyze the remains.

"It's similar to the mythical yeti or Sasquatch. It's a large creature residing in the depths of the ocean that remains a mystery to us," explained Kirsten Young, a senior ecology lecturer at the University of Exeter who has studied spade-toothed whales in the past.

The clan of beaked whales is an enigmatic bunch of creatures. Their elusive nature stems from their tendency to submerge themselves in the depths of the sea in search of squid and fish, making them rarely seen by humans.

The spade-toothed whale, also called Mesoplodon traversii, was identified as a separate species in the beaked whale family in 1874 when a part of its jaw was discovered on Pitt Island, New Zealand. Years later, a few skull pieces were found, leading scientists to study and learn more about this underwater mammal.

In 2010, researchers finally identified the appearance of the spade-toothed whale when a mother and baby were found on Opape Beach in New Zealand. The scientists studied the older female whale and discovered that spade-toothed whales have black snouts, dark flippers, and white bellies.

Currently, researchers have reported that a male spade-toothed whale has been sighted near Taieri Mouth, a tiny fishing community located by New Zealand's Taieri River.

Since the New Zealand coast has a lot of beached marine mammals, the country has developed a well-organized way to deal with these situations. This plan includes the community, the Department of Conservation, and the local Maori people.

The latest sighting was handled in the same way as previous ones. A camera captured the first proof of the beached 16-foot-long animal, which was then reported to Department of Conservation personnel. They coordinated the removal of the whale from the beach and are collaborating with Te Runanga o Otakou, a local Indigenous tribe, to determine the appropriate way to handle the whale's remains. In Maori culture, whales are considered sacred, so permission from Maori people is required to collect skin samples from beached whales.

Up to now, samples of the specimen have been sent to the University of Auckland. Scientists will spend weeks or even months studying the DNA from the dead animal to determine its species.

The sample can assist researchers in answering questions they have about the rare spade-toothed whale. Although Young's previous research provided some insights, the newness of this specimen will provide scientists with a unique opportunity to examine the whale's color and markings in more detail.

"This whale was incredibly fresh. There was no odor at all. It was clear that it hadn't been deceased for long, as it was in perfect condition," explained Trevor King, a contractor who moved the whale from the shore to a refrigerated storage unit.

Furthermore, researchers have the ability to analyze the contents of the whale's stomach in order to determine what it has been eating.

However, there are still many unanswered questions about spade-toothed whales that can only be addressed by actually seeing them in the wild. This includes information about how they behave and where they are located in different parts of the ocean.

"We believed we had full knowledge of science and the creatures in our environment, but in reality, we are quite ignorant," Young explained. The unusual beached whale "proves that there is still a vast amount about the oceans that remains a mystery," Young emphasized.