Scientists at Massey University are examining one of the world's most mysterious ocean dwellers, a rare strap tooth whale which washed ashore on an east coast beach over the weekend.
It is a post mortem which could re-write the textbooks.
"As far as large mammals go they're the great mystery whales, or great mystery beasts if you like," says Anton van Helden, Marine Mammals Manager at Te Papa.
New Zealand waters are one of the only places on the planet where these whales are known to live. But scientists say they have never been photographed in the wild and they remain a mystery.
The young whale is 2.9 metres long, and would have grown to more than six metres.
Although the scientists are delighted to have the rare specimen, they are saddened by the death of such a rare mammal.
They say it looks like the young whale has been hit on the head by a boat propellor, which sliced into its jaw.
"People should be maybe a bit more aware of the speed they're travelling at when they're in areas where there are dolphins, and not to approach whales and dolphins too closely in case there are animals in the water they can't see," says Dr Padraig Duignan of Massey University.
Unlike other whales which travel in quite large pods, the strap-tooth has never been seen in groups - in fact it is only seen when it washes up on a beach.
The scientists say that once they complete their examination, their findings are expected to be published world-wide.
--One News, TVNZ, April 9 2001
