Orca pods attack boats and porpoises, and when their large adult sons are not being watched, some orca pods have also been known to attack fearsome great white sharks. Herds of these marine mammals are known to hunt and kill these giant fish in epic battles of apex predators. This is the first time a solitary orca, also known as a killer whale, has been observed eating a great white shark. Here are the findings: The research began on March 1st. African Marine Science Journal.
Study co-author Alison Towner, a shark biologist at South Africa’s Rhodes University, said: “This amazing predation off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa demonstrates unprecedented behavior that confirms the extraordinary abilities of killer whales.” Stated. stated in a statement.
Pack Hunter – Willy vs. Jaws
Killer whales usually work together in groups to capture prey, most often sea lions, seals, sharks, and even other whales. When hunting together in pods, they surround their prey and attack with a combination of strength and intelligence. The South African great white shark is a predator in its own right; Known for his spectacular acrobatics And solo hunting.
[Related: Watch what can happen when killer whales tangle with great white sharks.]
In 2022, the same research team revealed that a pair of killer whales named Port and Starboard killer whales had been hunting and killing great white sharks in South Africa since 2017. Their predatory behavior has since driven large numbers of sharks from their habitats. Nature collection site. Killer whales can hunt large animals individually, but this is the first time a single whale has been observed attacking a great white shark.
“Fragrance of shark liver oil”
The incident, observed in June 2023 near Seal Island in Mossel Bay, about 398 miles east of Cape Town, challenges conventional thinking about cooperative hunting behavior in the region.The starboard orca was working alone “Incapacitate and consume” An 8-foot juvenile great white shark was grown in just two minutes. The killer whale was then observed holding the shark’s liver in its mouth.
“Upon arrival at Seal Island in Mossel Bay, the scent of shark liver oil and a noticeable oil slick indicated a recent kill. They remained isolated,” said Esther Jacobs of marine conservation group Keep Fin Alive. said in a statement reflecting on that day.. “Witnessing a great white shark’s fin breaking the surface of the water was an initial feeling of excitement, but as Starboard rapidly approached, it turned into a dark reality. The moment of rapid predation was devastating and extremely powerful.”
What Jacobs and his colleagues were observing on the water that day was unusual feeding behavior. South African killer whales are Eating fat-rich great white shark liver.
[Related: This could be the first newborn great white shark ever captured on camera.]
“For more than 20 years, I have visited South Africa annually and observed the significant impact that killer whales have on the local great white shark population.” Add Primo Miccarelli, from the Shark Research Center and the University of Siena, Italy. “I’ll never forget watching Starboard fly past our ship carrying a great white shark’s liver.”
At least two great white sharks were killed during these interactions, and a second carcass measuring 3.5 meters was also discovered nearby.
“This sighting reveals evidence that at least one orca was hunting alone, calling into question the traditional cooperative hunting behavior known in this region,” Towner said. Ta.
Changing maritime dynamics
As well as providing new insights into the predatory behavior of killer whales, it also helps provide context for the ecosystem changes that may occur if killer whales replace sharks as apex predators. . Understanding the dynamics of killer whales’ continued feeding on large sharks highlights the need for conservation strategies that can adapt in a timely manner to environmental and ecosystem changes.
[Related: Great whites don’t hunt humans—they just have blind spots.]
“The observations reported here add another layer to the fascinating story of these two killer whales and their abilities,” says ecologist Simon Elwen. stated in a statement. “As smart apex predators, killer whales can quickly learn new hunting techniques on their own or from other killer whales. That’s why it’s important to monitor and understand the behaviors used by other killer whales here and in South Africa. This is an important part of understanding more about these animals.”
Erwen is a whale ecology expert at Stellenbosch University and founding director and chief scientist at Sea Search Research & Conservation. He was not an author of this particular study.
These new discoveries and future studies should provide scientists in the region with more insight into how to apply conservation measures. According to TownerCape Town’s expert ‘shark watchers’ recorded more than 300 sightings of great white sharks across eight beaches in 2011. Since 2019, sharks have moved away from Cape Town and there have been no sightings in the area. Due to the threat and declining stocks of killer whales such as port and starboard, great white sharks are beginning to move further afield.
“Despite my awe of these predators, I am increasingly concerned about the balance of coastal marine ecosystems,” Miccarelli said.
