On Monday, December 2, 2024, beaked whale specialist Anton van Helden examines a male spade-toothed whale near Dunedin, New Zealand. AP Photo
In a groundbreaking moment for marine science, scientists in New Zealand are working to unravel the mysteries of the world's rarest whale, the spade-toothed whale. With only seven confirmed sightings in history, the whale has been a subject of intrigue, and researchers now have a rare opportunity to study one of the species up close. The whale washed ashore in July, and scientists are hopeful that this dissection will offer answers to numerous unanswered questions.
Anton van Helden, a senior marine science adviser for New Zealand’s conservation agency, expressed his excitement over the rare discovery. "I can’t tell you how extraordinary it is," he said. Having studied beaked whales for over 35 years, van Helden is taking part in the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, an event that is nothing short of historic.
Despite the wealth of knowledge van Helden has accumulated over the years, there is still much unknown about the spade-toothed whale. No one knows where these whales live, why they remain so elusive, or even what their brains look like. All beaked whale species have unique stomach systems, and scientists are eager to learn how the spade-toothed variety processes its food. So far, no one has witnessed a spade-toothed whale alive at sea, adding to the air of mystery surrounding this creature.
On Monday, December 2, 2024, members of a local Māori tribe, known as "iwi," observe a male spade-toothed whale near Dunedin, New Zealand. AP Photo
The whale in question, a five-meter-long male, was brought to an agricultural research center in Dunedin, where researchers are working tirelessly to uncover its secrets. The scientists involved in the study believe there could be parasites that have never been documented before, and they’re hopeful to learn more about how this species produces sound and what it consumes. “Who knows what we’ll discover?” said van Helden.
Since 1872, only six other spade-toothed whales have ever been found. However, DNA testing was unable to confirm the species of some of those remains. The most significant discovery came in 2002 when DNA sequencing proved that the whales found on New Zealand’s Pitt Island, as well as another specimen found in Chile, were of the same distinct species. Yet, the question of whether these whales were extinct was not resolved until two washed ashore in New Zealand in 2010. Sadly, no spade-toothed whale had ever been studied before.
The whale that washed ashore in July marked a new chapter in research, offering scientists a rare chance to examine a near-perfect specimen. As the dissection proceeded, researchers noted marks from cookiecutter sharks, though these were not considered the cause of death.
On Monday, December 2, 2024, scientists examine a male spade-toothed whale near Dunedin, New Zealand. AP Photo
The dissection, however, is not just a scientific process. The Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people, have deep cultural ties to the ocean and its creatures, considering whales to be taonga, or precious treasures. Local iwi (tribe) members will be present during the dissection, ensuring that traditional customs and respect are upheld. Before the study begins, a karakia, or prayer, will be said over the whale to honor its significance.
The iwi will keep the jawbone and teeth as part of their cultural practices, while the whale’s skeleton will eventually be displayed in a museum. 3D printing technology will also be used to create replicas of the whale’s bones, preserving this rare specimen for future generations.
Scientists are especially curious about the whale’s environment, as they suspect spade-toothed whales reside in the deep Southern Pacific Ocean, home to some of the planet’s deepest ocean trenches. Beaked whales are known for being the ocean’s deepest divers, and the spade-toothed whale’s elusive nature suggests it may rarely surface.
Among the scientists involved is Joy Reidenberg, a comparative anatomist from New York, who hopes that studying the whale’s anatomy could lead to insights that may even benefit human health. “In discovering how they live, we are hoping to find discoveries that we can apply back to the human condition,” said Reidenberg.
