A mysterious whale from the dark depths. Groundbreaking research has begun
Detailed research has begun in New Zealand on the shovel-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon traversii), considered the rarest species of whale in the world. This is the first time scientists have been able to dissect a complete specimen.
This unique five-metre male was washed ashore in July this year in the Otago region of the South Island. As we wrote earlier, only seven such whales have been documented so far, most of them found in New Zealand.
Research with respect for the whale
The research is being conducted at the Invermay AgResearch Center in Mosgiel, near Dunedin, by a team of international and local scientists who work with indigenous Maori. Anton van Helden, an expert in the field of pecked beaks, emphasizes that the research process is carried out with full respect for the animal.
– Even though we work with a dead animal, it gives us insight into its life and the history of the people who came into contact with it, says van Helden, adding that the opportunity to study this species is a unique event.
Beaked whales, which include the epee species, are one of the most mysterious marine mammals. They live at great depths, which makes them extremely difficult to observe. This “rarest of the rare” whale was previously known only from fragmentary remains, such as bones and tissues.
The importance is not only scientific. Also cultural
The first specimen of this species was discovered in 1874 on the Chatham Islands, and its description was based on fragments of the lower jaw and two teeth. Subsequent discoveries, including one in 2010, provided scientists with DNA that allowed them to reconstruct what these whales looked like.
The current research, which will last five days, aims to deepen knowledge of the species’ biology. Among other things, the digestive system, throat structure, way of making sounds and other morphological features will be analyzed. The results could help protect this unique species from human-related threats.
The research also involves Māori from Ōtākou, who consider whales to be taonga – a sacred treasure of great cultural importance. As Tūmai Cassidy explains, their involvement in the research process is an honor and an opportunity to share indigenous knowledge with Western science.
Once research is complete, the whale skeleton will go to the Otago Museum, while the jaw will remain in the possession of the Ōtākou Māori for cultural purposes. The study of this extraordinary specimen is a breakthrough in science and shows how cooperation between different cultures can contribute to a better understanding of the natural world.
