Australia's marine researchers believe a rare whale found in Australia may be a Longman's beaked whale, a species so rare only one other complete adult specimen has been found in the world.
The whale with a beak like a dolphin was found dead on a beach near Byron Bay in northern New South Wales (NSW) state after earlier being seen alive.
The first died soon after swimming aground on Japan's southern coast in 2002.
Lawrence Orel, of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, said Wednesday the skull of the Byron Bay whale had been sent to the Australian Museum in Sydney, NSW's capital, for identification.
"It's a very interesting find. It's really very exciting," Australian Associated Press quoted Orel as saying.
"Quite a number of museums are interested in obtaining material or information about it," he said.
"If it is confirmed as a Longman's beaked whale, it would certainly be the first full specimen discovered in Australia," he said.
Generally beaked whales were found in deeper waters offshore, according to Orel. Scientists know little about their feeding patterns, behavior or lifespan.
Orel said the whale found at Byron Bay possibly died of old age, adding there's no obvious signs or serious injury on the animal.