Gingko-toothed Beaked Whales, first NZ sighting
Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2021 5:02 pm
Project Jonah reported today via Facebook:
"A VERY exciting day yesterday for the team at the Far Out Ocean Research Collective
- during their offshore survey in Northland yesterday [waters off North Cape] they sighted Gingko toothed beaked whales! This is the first confirmed at-sea sighting for the species in New Zealand (and possibly the southern hemisphere).
"Beaked whales are mysterious creatures, due to their shyness of boats, offshore range and deep-diving habits, spending long periods of time underwater. Most of what we know about them is from beach strandings, and some species are hardly ever seen or photographed alive. We were lucky to snap a few photos, including of the beak of one of them, which helps to identify the species. Books are consulted, but beaked whales are not that easy to identify, as there is very little known about some of them. After the trip, we send our photos to two beaked whale experts. They both suggest our encounter was with Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales!!
This is incredibly exciting. As far we know, there are no confirmed live sightings at sea of this species in New Zealand, only a handful of stranding records." - Far Out Ocean Collective.
Photos: Will Rayment / Far Out Ocean Research Collective"
Link to photo: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=603F4484
Link to photo: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=603DE34A
Link to photo: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=604051E0
"A VERY exciting day yesterday for the team at the Far Out Ocean Research Collective
- during their offshore survey in Northland yesterday [waters off North Cape] they sighted Gingko toothed beaked whales! This is the first confirmed at-sea sighting for the species in New Zealand (and possibly the southern hemisphere).
"Beaked whales are mysterious creatures, due to their shyness of boats, offshore range and deep-diving habits, spending long periods of time underwater. Most of what we know about them is from beach strandings, and some species are hardly ever seen or photographed alive. We were lucky to snap a few photos, including of the beak of one of them, which helps to identify the species. Books are consulted, but beaked whales are not that easy to identify, as there is very little known about some of them. After the trip, we send our photos to two beaked whale experts. They both suggest our encounter was with Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales!!
This is incredibly exciting. As far we know, there are no confirmed live sightings at sea of this species in New Zealand, only a handful of stranding records." - Far Out Ocean Collective.
Photos: Will Rayment / Far Out Ocean Research Collective"
Link to photo: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=603F4484
Link to photo: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=603DE34A
Link to photo: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=604051E0
