Scientists study rare killer whale

A rare type of orca is prowling the open ocean off Alaska's shores.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Alaska Fisheries Science Center have spent the last 20 years learning more about an elusive type of killer whale and recently published their results.

Offshore killer whales range from California to Alaska and can travel great distances quickly.

Researchers found they are genetically different from other types of killer whales, and they have a different size, shape and behavior pattern than other killer whales, as well.

NOAA's scientists recently published a paper summarizing their 20 years of studying the offshore killer whale population.