A killer whale (orca) was filmed attacking and mauling a great white shark off the coast of South Africa.
In a smash-and-snatch incident that stunned scientists, a killer whale attacked and ate a great white shark in less than two minutes before swimming away with the victim's liver in its mouth.
Experts say the incident off the coast of South Africa's Mossel Bay offers new insight into the predatory behavior of orcas.
While orcas have previously been documented hunting sharks, dolphins and even whales alone, the newly observed incident is thought to be the first known incident of a lone orca preying on the world's largest predatory fish.
Dr. from Rhodes University, who conducted the research on the discovery. “Killer whales or orcas often form teams when hunting, although they can hunt alone,” said Alison Towner. "What was unusual was witnessing a killer whale hunt a white shark alone and in an extremely fast time frame." she said.
The incident, which occurred on June 18, 2023, was published in the African Journal of Marine Science.
At 3.02:XNUMX pm, a young white shark appeared on the surface of the water. The killer whale appeared right after.
The report states that the whale “grabbed the shark's left pectoral fin and pushed it forward with the shark several times, eventually eviscerating it.” Minutes later, the killer whale was seen “with a piece of bloody liver in its mouth.”
The attack was also documented by researchers and tourists on another ship participating in shark cage diving activities.
All other recorded incidents in the area where orcas prey on sharks involved two to six orcas and usually lasted about two hours, the researchers reported.
