A team of marine ecologists have finally obtained footage of what could be a new species of killer whale.
According to the National Geographic, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researcher Robert Pitman said scientists located and studied the animals, referred to as Type D killer whales, in the wild in January.
"This is the most different looking killer whale I've ever seen," Pitman told The Associated Press.
The scientists were on the 22-meter research vessel Australis, working off the tip of southern Chile, according to NOAA.
Pitman told National Geographic these whales have a more rounded head, a very small white eye patch and a pointier and narrower dorsal fin. They are also shorter in length than other orcas.
The AP reported that scientists have obtained a blubber and skin tissue sample from one of the whales in order to determine if the Type D killer whale is a distinct species.
“We are very excited about the genetic analyses to come,” Pitman said. “Type D killer whales could be the largest undescribed animal left on the planet and a clear indication of how little we know about life in our oceans.”