A rarely seen species of whale has been found washed up on a West Australian beach, giving scientists a chance to learn more about the animal.
The Omura’s whale was discovered on a remote Exmouth beach, at the tip of the state’s North West Cape, after tropical cyclone Olwyn tore through the area last month.
It is the first sighting of the species in WA and only the second in Australia.
Identifying the 5.68m-long juvenile female was difficult for Department of Parks and Wildlife staff but DNA profiling confirmed it was an Omura’s whale.
The environment minister, Albert Jacob, said the find was “highly significant” for whale scientists because very little was known about the species.
“Omura’s whale was only described in scientific journals for the first time in 2003 and is apparently restricted to tropical and subtropical waters,” he said.
“The knowledge we gain from this whale will help to improve field identification guides to better understand the whale’s regional distribution.”
The species is usually found in Indonesian waters, the Philippines and the Sea of Japan.
Omura’s whales have a sleek body shape and several unique skeletal features, including 53 vertebrae and four digits on each pectoral fin.
The carcass has been buried and the skeleton will be recovered in a few years for further scientific investigation and possibly for public display in museums.
PHOTO: The Omura’s whale found on a remote Exmouth beach at the tip of WA’s North West Cape.
CREDIT: AAP/WA Department of Parks and Wildlife.