Necropsy performed on rare whale washed ashore in Point Lance

A 16-foot long whale that washed ashore on the south coast of Newfoundland has been identified as a rare True's beaked whale.

The 1,000-kilogram marine mammal was discovered on the beach in Point Lance in February.

It was cut open and dissected by scientists with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Thursday in St. John's, as journalists looked on. 

Researchers first believed it was a female Sowerby's beaked whale, although testing identified it as a True's beaked whale through examining the teeth in the jawbone. 

"Any chance we get to work on it — unfortunately even though it's dead — it provides new information for us."

DFO said this is the first True's beaked whale ever recorded in the province.

Scientists also learned that the whale had given birth before her death. DFO said it's unlikely the calf would survive without its mother.

Raising a stink

Lawson said the team will take samples from all the organs and flesh for testing.

Once that is complete and the flesh is taken off the bones, its skeleton will be put on display at the DFO office.

Based on broken ribs and blood clots, the whale may have been killed by a boat. 

The smell of a dead, flensed whale isn't pleasant, but Lawson said he's used to it.

"Usually by the end of the day I don't mind the smell so much, then when I get home my family is not so happy," Lawson laughed.

The necropsy was performed in a small room at a provincial government facility on Brookfield Road.