Discovery and Examination
The first complete specimen of the spade-toothed whale, a rare beaked whale, was found washed ashore in in July, marking a significant occasion for marine science due to its elusive nature.
The dissection, a collaboration between scientists and the local Māori community, revealed the whale had suffered head trauma, likely from an unknown cause, and contained remnants of squid and parasitic worms in its nine stomach chambers.
Cultural and Scientific Significance
To the Māori, whales are considered a precious treasure (taonga), and the dissection process incorporated Indigenous knowledge and customs, highlighting the creature's reverence within the culture.
This event not only provided new insights into the spade-toothed whale's biology and evolutionary history, such as the discovery of tiny vestigial teeth, but also underscored the importance of preserving and respecting marine life.