Aug 1, 2008 6:51 am US/Pacific
New Dolphin Species Discovered
KIMBERLY COAST, Australia (APTN) ―
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The snub-nosed dolphin is a newly discovered species.
The first pictures of what has been dubbed the world's ugliest dolphin were shown on Australian television on Thursday.
The snub fin dolphin with its distinctive bulbous head was first identified three years ago off Western Australia's remote Kimberley coast.
It is the first new dolphin species to be discovered in fifty years.
Unlike some dolphins, the snub fins aren't used to humans and are easily scared away.
On Thursday researchers used a dart gun to retrieve a DNA sample from the dolphins for genetic examination.
"The last couple of days we've had fantastic weather and feeding activity and the right tides so some of the best sightings we've had so far," one of the researchers told an Australian TV station.
The dart only leaves a small scratch on the animal but provides a mountain of information.
Conservationists say despite the dolphin's odd appearance it is a magnificent creature.
"It may be the world's ugliest dolphin - some people have said that - but to those of us that have seen them ... I am just absolutely blown away by this creature. They are absolutely endearing," Tammie Matson from the World Wildlife Fund said.
The snub fin dolphin is unique to Australia, and scientists don't know much about the mammals.
"There's almost nothing known about this species. We are literally starting from scratch," Matson said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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