Unidentified species of beaked whales detected in Cook Strait
Two yet-to-be identified species of beaked whales have been detected in the Cook Strait region.
4 May 2018
A research team led by NIWA scientists has confirmed the presence of the whales, by analysing underwater acoustic data.
In the first project of its kind in New Zealand waters, the entire underwater soundscape of the region was recorded - including sounds produced by marine mammals.
There are about 22 species of beaked whales globally, of which about 13 have been found in New Zealand, but very little is known about them.
Sightings are rare because they are deep diving animals that can spend more than an hour on a single dive, and surface for a very short time.
© 2024 Newstalk ZB, NZCity