Rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale seen alive in the wild for the 1st time
Scientists have finally spotted a living ginkgo-toothed beaked whale off Baja California, Mexico—a species that had only been known from stranded remains and sound recordings until now.
Led by Robert Pitman, the team managed five sightings and even collected genetic samples, marking a big moment for marine research.
Why is this whale so special?
These deep-diving whales can reach 16 feet long and live in remote tropical and temperate oceans.
Males are dark gray with patches; females are lighter gray.
Because they spend so much time deep underwater, seeing one alive has been almost impossible—making this encounter a huge deal for scientists.
How did they confirm it was really them?
Researchers matched the whales' unique BW43 echolocation sounds to the species during their expedition.
This confirmed their identity beyond doubt and gave new insight into where these mysterious creatures live and how they behave.
What's threatening them?
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales face dangers from fishing gear and naval sonar, which can disrupt their deep dives.
This discovery will help conservation efforts by shedding light on how to better protect these rare ocean dwellers.