Marine scientists have been given a rare opportunity to study an animal hardly ever seen in New Zealand waters.
The hourglass dolphin washed up at Flea Bay in Banks Peninsula.
It is only the seventh whole specimen to be examined anywhere in the world.
Warning, video includes images of the dolphin being dissected
Very little is known about the hourglass dolphin, and scientists are excited to get up close to this one.
“For a long time it was only known from sea observations and so the carcass here represents one of just a handful of fresh, complete, specimens that anyone has had a chance to investigate,” says Te Papa spokesman Anton Van Helden.
It almost didn’t happen.
The Department of Conservation had buried the dolphin on the beach where it was found, but marine biologists Karen Stockin asked for it to be dug up for her students to study.
The university was expecting a dusky dolphin – regularly seen in places like Kaikoura. But when it turned up they realised they had something a lot more special on their hands.
“It’s one of the rarest in terms of our understanding of species. It has been very poorly described,” says Massey University spokesman Karen Stockin.
The hourglass dolphin get their name from the white hourglass-shaped markings.
There are many theories about how this particular dolphin died and a post mortem tonight is expected to provide a definitive answer.
Either way, it is hoped the skeleton will join the national collection at Te Papa.
