text:  Van Helden says they want to study its digestive tract, its reproductive organs, how it makes sound. All of it is new. So I feel like to do justice to the animal, we want to be able to describe everything. Before they do any of that, the scientists are seeking permission from the local Maori people for whom whales have a strong cultural significance. But if given their blessing to proceed, Van Helden says this specimen could offer a rare glimpse into the life and behavior of spade-toothed whales.