A species of whale that was feared to be extinct has been found washed up on a West Australian beach , giving scientists an opportunity to learn more about the mammal . The Omura 's whale was discovered on a remote Exmouth beach , at the tip of the state 's North West Cape , after Tropical Cyclone Olwyn tore through the area last month . It is the first sighting of the species in WA and only the second in Australia . Identifying the 5.68m juvenile female was at first difficult for Department of Parks and Wildlife staff , who eventually confirmed it was an Omura 's whale with DNA profiling . Scroll down for video . An Omura 's whale was discovered on a remote Exmouth beach in WA ( pictured ) . It left authorities confused as they struggled to identify the rare species . Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the find was 'highly significant ' for whale scientists because very little was known about the species . 'Omura 's whale was only described in scientific journals for the first time in 2003 and is apparently restricted to tropical and subtropical waters , ' he said . 'The knowledge we gain from this whale will help to improve field identification guides to better understand the whale 's regional distribution . ' The species is usually found in Indonesian waters , the Philippines and the Sea of Japan . Omura 's whales have a sleek body shape and several unique skeletal features , including 53 vertebrae and four digits on each pectoral fin . The carcass has been buried and the skeleton will be recovered in a few years for further scientific investigation and possibly for public display in museums . The Omura 's is usually found in Indonesian waters , the Philippines and the Sea of Japan . The whale has a sleek body shape and several unique skeletal features , including 53 vertebrae .
The ##mura 's whale was discovered on a remote Exmouth beach in WA . It was washed up on the beach by Tropical ocean currents . Authorities found it hard at first to identify the 5.68 m juvenile specimen . However DNA profiling suggests it was an Omura 's whale . It is the first discovery of the whale in WA and only the second in Australia .