Is this mysterious cetacean the world’s rarest?

This creature of the abyss is so rare that no one has ever seen it alive. Since the first bones were discovered in 1874, only five other specimens have been documented worldwide.

Now, biologists in New Zealand are trying to confirm that a five-meter-long cetacean that washed up dead on the South Island is indeed Travers’ killer whale.Mesodon trachodon).

This mysterious species is thought to live only in the Southern Hemisphere and is a relative of the common griffon.Red-lipped crocodile) also lives in Greek waters.

All species in the zifid family feed at great depths and are rarely found on the surface. Although they are often called whales, they are actually more closely related to dolphins because they have teeth instead of baleen.

If the New Zealand whale is indeed a near-mythical mammal, scientists will be able to conduct an anatomical examination for the first time.

“This species is extremely rare, so there may be an opportunity for us to learn more about how and where this animal lived,” said Hannah Henrik, a technical advisor for the Department of Conservation, according to CNN.

“If we can learn more, we’ll be closer to answering the question of whether this species is endangered and what the threats it might be facing are.”

DNA testing

The department was notified on July 4 that a cetacean carcass had been found near Tai Arikou, a small village on the east coast of the South Island.

Marine mammal experts estimate it is a male Travers’ tern, although this remains to be confirmed with further examination.

“This is a tremendous discovery from a scientific and conservation perspective,” said Gabe Davis of the ministry.

The macaw species, he said, “is the least known large mammal species of modern times.”

The whale is now in cold storage until a decision is made on its next move. In the meantime, tissue samples have been sent to the University of Auckland’s cetacean tissue archive. But genetic testing will take weeks or months to complete.

Travers’ snakes were first described in 1874 from a toothed jawbone found on Pitt Island, about 500 miles off New Zealand’s west coast, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

The first complete specimen was a mother and her cub unearthed in 2010 on New Zealand’s North Island, but was not suitable for anatomical examination.

Scientists are keen to know what’s in the animal’s stomach. Thus, they will be able to find out what the species feeds on and whether it has ingested plastic or other foreign matter.