Orca whale hunts a great white shark all alone!

Did you know that an orca whale was spotted hunting down a great white shark all alone?

Scientists confirmed their findings in  African Journal of Marine Science lately, based on a video footage and photographs of the event in June 2023.

Orcas are known to typically hunt in packs of about 2 to 6. If they ever did hunt alone, it was thought incomprehensible for them to hunt down another predator. An orca typically ranges between 7 and 10 meters. The great white shark that was hunted was a ‘juvenile’ shark at 2.5 meters long, said scientists – and was tracked down stealthily. The whole encounter lasted under 2 minutes. The orca apparently attacked the shark from its side, consuming the liver – known to be ‘lipid-rich’.

The discovery “underscored the benefits of citizen science as a collaborative effort between researchers, tourists, and organizations”, stated the authors.

“This sighting revealed evidence of solitary hunting by at least one killer whale, challenging conventional cooperative hunting behaviors known in the region,” said Dr. Alison Towner from Rhodes University, South Africa, who led an international research team into the discovery – in a press release.

The researchers stated the vital role played by land-based observers and tourists on vessels, who had recorded the event. The discovery “underscored the benefits of citizen science as a collaborative effort between researchers, tourists, and organizations”, stated the authors.

However, scientists were also concerned about the state of marine ecology balance, given the “profound impact these killer whales have on the local white shark population.”

The authors stated that their findings also “underscores the urgent need for adaptable conservation strategies and vigilant ecological monitoring amidst changing environmental conditions”.