A solitary killer whale, or orca, has been filmed hunting and killing a great white shark in an “astonishing” attack off the coast of South Africa.
Scientists said it was “unprecedented” and showed the exceptional predatory skills of killer whales.
Two orcas in particular off South Africa’s coast have been observed before working together to hunt and kill sharks, including great whites.
Dr Alison Towner, a marine biologist from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, led the study.
“This caught us off guard,” said shark biologist Dr Towner.
Footage credits included:
Sea Search/Discovery
Leigh Carter, Go Dive Mossel Bay
Still photography credits:
Christiaan Stopforth
For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news
#Sharks #Orcas #KillerWhales #SouthAfrica #BBCNews
source
24 Comments
Iโm confused. A shark has gills and the orca has to come up for air. Why doesnโt the shark just head to the bottom? The orca will have to come up for air. Is the shark that dumb?
Free Willy got game
Today's attack
I thought it was A killer whale
Black one's called killer white one's called great ๐ค
Love orcas friendly with humans devastating to other predators
EVERYTHING HAS GOT TO EAT
A Dolphin ๐ฌ can take out a great white shark it whips it with it's tail. So not surprised a Whale can too as it's larger in size. The Tiger Shark is more aggressive.
Where is climate change
thats nothing new BBC and they dont eat them whole
You know the orca mafia were planning this for ages after years of dispute against the white shark gangs. Some shark thug must have pulled the last straw that caused the orca mafia to snap on them
Humans: Afraid when they hear Jaws theme
Sharks: Afraid when they hear Free Willy theme
The News Anchor misspoke at 0:16 seconds.
She meant to say, "..but raise questions about how Orcas eating Sharks may affect the food chain." Instead she said ".. Sharks eating Orcas may affect the food chain."
Humans have discovered that if a shark is turned upside down it becomes unable to function at all. Orca's know this as well and that's why they hit the sharks from the side then grab a hold of them when they have been flipped upside down and hold them there. The shark will suffocate as it has to keep moving to maintain breathing. The Orca then consumes the liver at it's own leisure.
I remember when a BBC wildlife program said the great white shark was Africa's most powerful predator, not anymore it isn't.
That's nothing new. It's been going on for several decades since the 20th century or earlier. What's new about this is that this is the prime time 21st century that scientists have noticed killer whales attacking & killing a great white shark. Anyway, that shark was a juvenile + solo.
Orcas will and always will be the Apex
People should be grateful Orcas and Sperm Whales (even orcas donโt challenge an adult male) do not see us as prey. Not only are these animals smarter than we can understand, but theyโd snap us in half with ease. The ocean is truly wild
Restauranteurs in China discover Orcas are cheaper and Peta-approved for getting Shark fins
I just knew some Karen would make a claim nature would somehow cause an unbalance in nature.
Did anyone else notice the bimbo talking head say, "but raise questions about how sharks eating orcas might affect the food chain in that region." The story is about killer whales killing great white sharks and eating their livers. She has no clue but just like all BBC reporters she can't help using hyperbole and sensationalism to define naturally occurring events. It's "astonishing" the BBC shrieks.
A dolphin can kill a shark too. Is this remedial education TV?
Are you kidding me????? For a hundred years they've taught why they eat the liver. This guy's a researcher????๐๐๐๐๐
First of all western white humans ๐ you are not a superior ๐to in the human world ๐ keep living in ๐ด๐ญ๐ด๐ญ๐ด๐ญ๐ด๐ญ๐๐