Rare whale washed up in New Zealand

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The photo was taken in Tasmania, as close as we got to New Zealand. The first ever complete specimen of a rare spade-toothed whale (Mesoplodon traversii) has washed up near the small fishing town of Taieri Mouth on the South Island of New Zealand. None have ever been seen alive and very few have washed up on remote beaches. Almost nothing is known about the species. Since the 1800s, only six have been documented worldwide; all but one being from NZ. This is the first one fresh enough to be dissected. The blackish silver male is five metres long and one of the deepest diving animals in the world. The distinguishing characters are the very large teeth and the name ‘spade-toothed’ comes from the shape of the part of the tooth protruding from the gums. The carcass is in cold storage while decisions are made for its preservation in line with Maori traditions.