What Just Washed Ashore in New Zealand? It’s Extremely Rare.

Scientists across the globe have only ever collected six spade-toothed whales, and no one has ever recorded seeing one alive. So when one of these extremely rare whales washed ashore in New Zealand, the scientific community became very excited.

On July 4, New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) says a 16.5-foot beaked whale washed ashore on an Otago beach. “Upon inspection, and consultation with marine-mammal experts from DOC and Te Papa, it appears the creature was a male spade-toothed whale—a species so rare next to nothing is known about them,” DOC says in a statement.

Experts carefully removed the rare whale’s body from the beach and put it in a giant fridge for preservation. Scientists sent genetic samples to the University of Auckland to officially get a species ID on this remarkable animal. DOC says a specimen this fresh could offer the first opportunity for scientists to dissect a spade-toothed whale.

“From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge,” said Gabe Davies, DOC’s Coastal Otago Operations Manager, in the press release. “Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times.”

Watch the DOC lift up this rare whale here:

As experts wait on the DNA results to confirm the species identification, officials are discussing next steps for the specimen. Assuming it is a spade-toothed whale, this incredible find could further the scientific community’s understanding of this elusive marine mammal.