Elusive Orca Pod Caught On Film For The First Time

<p> <a class="checked-link" href="http://www.seashepherdglobal.org/news-and-commentary/news/sea-shepherd-ship-first-to-film-rare-ecotype-d-orcas.html">Erwin Vermeulen</a><a class="checked-link" href="http://www.seashepherdglobal.org/news-and-commentary/news/sea-shepherd-ship-first-to-film-rare-ecotype-d-orcas.html">/Sea Shepherd</a><span></span><br></p>
<p> <a class="checked-link" href="http://www.seashepherdglobal.org/news-and-commentary/news/sea-shepherd-ship-first-to-film-rare-ecotype-d-orcas.html">Erwin Vermeulen</a><a class="checked-link" href="http://www.seashepherdglobal.org/news-and-commentary/news/sea-shepherd-ship-first-to-film-rare-ecotype-d-orcas.html">/Sea Shepherd</a><span></span><br></p>

For what is believed to be the very first time ever, a group of elusive killer whales were recently captured on film swimming in a remote stretch of ocean - one of only a handful of times these animals have ever been spotted in the wild.

(YouTube/Sea Shepherd)

The pod was photographed from the vessel Bob Barker by members of the conservation group, Sea Shepherd, who were in pursuit of a toothfish poaching ship in the South Indian Ocean. Images of the animals were later sent to an expert from the Natio­nal Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who confirmed the orcas were of a type known as "Ecotype D."

Since being discovered in 1955, this group of killer whales native to southern waters, had been seen only a dozen times - though this thirteenth sighting is by far the most vivid.

"I don't think they have ever been filmed alive," says NOAA orca expert Robert L. Pitman.

(YouTube/Sea Shepherd)

Chief Engineer aboard the Bob Barker, Erwin Vermeulen, describes the remarkable scene in a statement released on Monday:

"The crew watched in awe as the 13 killer whales, including a small juvenile and a large male, used the six-metre swell to surf across the bow. For almost an hour the surf-show continued and was accompanied by bow riding, tail-slaps and breaches."

Check out the entire video below:

click to play video