Scientists from Museums Victoria’s Research Institute have described a new species of ancient whale from a 26-million-year-old fossil found near Jan Juc on Wadawurrung Country, along Victoria’s Surf Coast.

The size of the whale was closer to that of a dolphin, with a short snout, large forward-facing eyes and slicing teeth.

It was named Janjucetus dullardi after local resident Ross Dullard, who found the fossil while walking along the beach in 2019 and generously donated it to Museums Victoria.