Solo Killer Whale eats Great White shark in 'unprecedented' moment
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A remarkable incident has been captured on film: a lone killer whale, also known as an orca, engaging in an astonishing hunt, successfully targeting and dispatching a great white shark. Experts are describing this event as unprecedented, highlighting the extraordinary predatory prowess of killer whales.
Previous observations off the coast of South Africa have shown two specific orcas collaborating in hunting and taking down sharks, notably great whites. However, this recent occurrence has surprised researchers. Dr. Alison Towner, a shark biologist, expressed her astonishment, stating, "But this caught us off guard."
The male orca (in the foreground) was captured on camera hunting a juvenile shark
Dr. Towner, hailing from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, has dedicated several years to studying these creatures. Alongside her colleagues, she has documented their latest findings in a comprehensive and somewhat gruesome report published in the African Journal of Marine Science.
The assault, captured on camera in 2023 and available for viewing here, was described by scientists as "solo and swift." In a display of remarkable efficiency, the male killer whale dispatched the shark and devoured its liver, accomplishing the entire act in under two minutes.
In 2022, scientists captured drone footage revealing two male orcas collaborating in the pursuit of great white sharks. These animals, affectionately nicknamed Port and Starboard due to the opposing bends of their dorsal fins, were noted by researchers for their preference for extracting and consuming the livers of the sharks.
Dr. Towner recalled the intensity of the attacks, with the sharks attempting to evade predation by tightly circling the killer whales.
In 2022, scientists captured aerial footage of orcas working together to hunt great whites
In a recent incident, Starboard embarked on a solo hunt. Scientists described how the orca seized the left pectoral fin of a 2.5-meter juvenile shark, forcefully thrusting forward multiple times before ultimately eviscerating it.
Dr. Luke Rendell, a marine mammal scientist from the University of St Andrews, hailed this as a "really beautiful observation" of behavior. He noted the significance of a single orca demonstrating such skill in confronting the shark, employing tactics like ramming it in the side and seizing the pectoral fin to evade its formidable jaws.
Quint’s shark hunting vessel in JAWS was named thr ‘ORCA’
Rendell remarked on the logic behind such behavior, suggesting that given the substantial nutritional value of a great white shark, it's not surprising that orca populations in areas with sufficient shark numbers have learned to exploit this food source.
This prompts inquiries into how the behavior of killer whales might be impacting shark populations within these regions.
While the exact drivers of this behavior remain unknown, Dr. Towner highlighted to BBC News that it's increasingly clear that "human activities, such as climate change and industrial fishing, are placing significant pressures on our oceans."
The solitary orca (seen on the right of the image) 'eviscerated' the shark in under two minutes
Moreover, there could be potential health consequences for killer whales preying on sharks, including the ingestion of toxins and metals from shark tissue.
"Disruptions in the equilibrium of apex predators can have repercussions for other species," Dr. Towner explained. "Endangered African penguins, for instance, could face heightened predation by cape fur seals if these seals are not being preyed upon by white sharks."
Dr. Rendell noted the challenge in determining whether this behavior is newly emerging or simply being observed for the first time. "However, what truly stands out is the remarkable skill these animals demonstrate as hunters."
Dr. Towner emphasized that each discovery within these interactions between orcas and sharks is "intriguing."
Words by Ross Williams
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