Australian scientists are researching a rarely seen species of Omura whale after it washed up on a West Australian (WA) beach.

The appearance of the whale on a Exmouth beach happened after Tropical Cyclone Olwyn swept through the area in March.

Researchers are excited about the discovery because it is the first sighting of the species in WA and only the second in Australia.

WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the discovery will allow whale experts to learn more about the rare 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 in a statement.

"The knowledge we gain from this whale will help to improve field identification guides to better understand the whale's regional distribution." Endi

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