Sydney, April 14 (IANS): Australian scientists are researching a rarely seen species of Omura whale after it washed up on a Western Australia beach.
The appearance of the whale on Exmouth beach happened after Tropical Cyclone Olwyn swept through the area in March, Xinhua news agency reported.
Researchers are excited about the discovery because it is the first sighting of the species in Western Australia and only the second in Australia.
Western Australia Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the discovery would allow whale experts to learn more about the rare species.
"Omura whale was only described in scientific journals for the first time in 2003 and is apparently restricted to tropical and subtropical waters," he said in a statement.
"The knowledge we gain from this whale will help to improve field identification guides to better understand the whale's regional distribution."