A rare whale washed up on a New Zealand beach (3 photos + 1 video)
A dead South American lanternfish has been found on a beach in New Zealand. For the first time, experts had the opportunity to study a rare species of whale. 
A mysterious creature five meters long has not yet been found alive in the wild. Only six carcasses have been found since the 1800s. 
For the first time, scientists have come across a fresh specimen that can be dissected.
The video shows the mammal being lifted by an excavator on a beach in the Taiari Maut area. The find was sent to the refrigerator.
"The South American lantern is one of the most poorly studied species of large mammals. Only six individuals have been documented worldwide since the 1800s, and all but one of them were from New Zealand. From a scientific and conservation perspective, this find is important." said Gabe Davis with the Department of Conservation. 
Researchers have yet to confirm its species. The whale's DNA has been sent to the University of Auckland for analysis, which will take several weeks.
The first intact specimen was found in 2010 in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty: a female and a calf washed ashore. In 2017, another belt tooth was discovered in the Gisborne area.
