Rare Whale Dissection Reveals Insights into Spade-Toothed Species
Scientists believe the world’s rarest whale, a spade-toothed whale, may have died from head injuries. This conclusion comes after the first complete examination of the whale, which took place last week at a research facility near Dunedin, New Zealand. The local group Te Rūnanga Ōtākou, involved in the scientific effort, shared this information through the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
The specimen, a nearly intact 5-meter (16-foot) male, was discovered on a South Island beach in July. This finding marked the first time a complete spade-toothed whale has ever been recorded. Interestingly, prior to this discovery, only seven sightings of the species had occurred, with none of them involving a living whale.
Anton van Helden, an expert on beaked whales from New Zealand’s conservation agency, noted that the whale had a broken jaw and bruising around its head and neck. These injuries suggest that head trauma might have been the cause of death. "We suspect there must have been some sort of trauma, but the specific cause is still unknown," van Helden explained.
Researchers were also curious about the whale’s stomach, as each type of beaked whale has a unique way of digesting food. Their findings revealed nine stomach chambers filled with squid remnants and parasitic worms. Among the more surprising discoveries were small, vestigial teeth in the upper jaw of the whale. "These tiny teeth tell us more about their evolutionary history. It’s fascinating to see this, and it adds to our knowledge," van Helden remarked.
The dissection was especially memorable for the scientists involved, with van Helden stating, "It’s certainly a highlight and the beginning of an important story for this beautiful animal." The event was made more meaningful by the collaboration between scientists and local Māori people, who used their knowledge and traditions throughout the process.
After the dissection, the local iwi, or tribe, plans to keep the whale’s jawbone and teeth, while its skeleton will be displayed in a museum. Advanced 3D printing will replicate the parts retained by the iwi. For the Māori, whales are treasured beings, treated with deep respect like ancestors.
New Zealand is known as a hotspot for whale strandings, with over 5,000 recorded incidents since 1840. The spade-toothed whale has a long history in New Zealand, with its first bones discovered in 1872 on Pitt Island, followed by findings in the 1950s and another set on Robinson Crusoe Island in Chile in 1986.
