![World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/91/c0/e4/World-s-rarest-whale-washes-up-on-N-720313.jpg)
-
Can Ligue 1 arrest decline after summer of crisis?
-
Harris accepts Democratic nomination with pledge of 'new way forward'
-
Alibaba to upgrade Hong Kong listing amid profit drop
-
Asian stocks slip with Wall St ahead of Powell, yen rises
-
Bayern plot to recapture Bundesliga with Leverkusen in crosshairs
-
Harris accepts Democratic nomination with vow to unite America
-
Conte and Napoli reeling after horror Serie A start
-
Indian desert school's unique design offers respite from heat
-
China's 'throwing eggs' card game wins fans and official censure
-
Volcano erupts in Iceland, sixth since December
-
Paris Paralympics to showcase best of disability sport
-
Bosnia volleyball team sets sights on Paralympic glory
-
Mbappe ready for Bernabeu bow as Ancelotti seeks Madrid balance
-
Australia tackles poor Great Barrier Reef water quality
-
Indian PM Modi to advocate 'peace' on historic Ukraine visit
-
NATO airbase in Germany raises security level over 'potential threat'
-
US Fed chair expected to signal support for rate cuts
-
Venezuela top court confirms Maduro's disputed reelection
-
Once 'canceled,' The Chicks take center stage at Democratic Convention
-
Harris vows to be 'president for all Americans' in convention climax
-
Influencers get VIP treatment at US Democratic National Convention
-
French prosecutors request trial in Depardieu rape probe
-
Influencer Andrew Tate placed under house arrest in Romania in new probe
-
Canada government steps in to end crippling freight rail shutdown
-
Harris poised for joyful star turn at Democratic convention
-
'I love him': Flag-waving Russians rally for pro-Putin pop star
-
Venezuela apex court confirms Maduro's disputed reelection
-
Chelsea give Maresca first win in Conference League
-
Fearing Trump, LGBTQ Americans out in force for vote
-
Apple to let iPhone users in Europe delete its App Store
-
Tebogo tops 200m, Wanyonyi on fire in mixed night for Olympic champs
-
Israel in Gaza talks in Egypt as fighting rages
-
Combining climate measures key to slashing emissions: study
-
Harris to formally accept Democratic nomination
-
England's Hull out in front after first round of Women's British Open
-
Ingebrigtsen claims revenge on Hocker in Lausanne 1500m
-
World's second largest diamond found in Botswana
-
US Open draw raises prospect of Sinner-Alcaraz rematch
-
Smith edges England ahead in first Test against Sri Lanka
-
Venezuela high court confirms Maduro's reelection after fraud claims
-
'Crazy love': Afghans overjoyed to watch star cricketers on home turf
-
Putin accuses Ukraine of trying to attack Kursk nuclear plant
-
Nestle CEO Schneider to step down after eight years at helm
-
Pakistan top court amends religious freedom ruling after protests
-
Stocks sputter ahead of Fed chief's speech
-
Nepal lifts ban on video-sharing platform TikTok
-
Bangladesh revokes diplomatic passport of ex-PM Hasina
-
O'Connor romps to Vuelta win, takes significant lead
-
Indonesia scraps plan to change election rules after protests
-
Brook steadies England after Asitha Fernando strikes for Sri Lanka
![World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/91/c0/e4/World-s-rarest-whale-washes-up-on-N-720313.jpg)
World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach
The body of a spade-toothed whale -- a species so rare it has never been seen alive -- appears to have washed up on a New Zealand beach, scientists say.
The remains of the obscure, five-metre (16.4 foot) long, beaked creature were found near a river mouth in southern Otago province on July 4, government researchers said.
It was identified by marine-mammal experts from New Zealand's Department of Conservation and the national museum, Te Papa, as a male spade-toothed whale.
A DNA investigation has been launched to confirm its classification, the scientists said.
"Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times," said the conservation department's coastal Otago operations manager, Gabe Davies.
"Since the 1800s, only six samples have ever been documented worldwide, and all but one of these was from New Zealand," Davies said in a statement Monday.
"From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge."
The find was fresh enough to offer the first opportunity for a spade-toothed whale to be dissected, the conservation department said.
The species is "so rare next to nothing is known about them", it said.
- 'International importance' -
The body of the whale has been placed in cold storage and genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland as curators of the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive.
It may take several weeks or months for the DNA to be processed and a final identification confirmed.
"The rarity of the whale means conversations around what to do next will take more time because it is a conversation of international importance," the conservation department said.
The species was first described in 1874 from just a lower jaw and two teeth collected from the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand.
That sample, along with skeletal remains of two other specimens found in New Zealand and Chile, enabled scientists to confirm a new species.
Marine scientist Vanessa Pirotta said researchers would study the whale's stomach contents, genetics, and how this sample compared to previous ones.
This could shine light on the whales' behaviour, their population and why they are so rare, Pirotta told AFP, describing the discovery as "like hitting the jackpot".
Because so few specimens have been found and there have been no live sightings, little is known about the spade-toothed whale and it is classified as "data deficient" under New Zealand's Threat Classification System.
The first intact specimen was from a mother and calf stranding in Bay of Plenty in 2010, the New Zealand conservation department said.
A further stranding in 2017 in Gisborne added one more specimen to the collection.
L.Durand--AMWN