For the first time, video of a group of orcas killing a great white shark off the coast of South Africa may explain why sharks are disappearing there.
This newly-observed behavior could significantly impact the ecosystem and local tourism.
Authors of the paper believe the footage suggests this behavior of killing great white sharks is spreading amongst orcas, highly intelligent and social marine mammals that hunt in groups. Previous studies found orcas spread new behaviors over time through cultural transmission. Only two killer whales have been previously linked to hunting great white sharks in South Africa, but attacks have never been seen in action. In the video, five whales circle the shark and eat it. Researchers assume the same group was witnessed by another pilot just prior to the event attacking two sharks in the same area.
“The sharks ultimately abandoned former key habitats, which has had significant knock-on effects for both the ecosystem and shark-related tourism,” said South African National Parks’ shark expert and marine biologist, Dr. Alison Kock. The presence of killer whales caused sharks to use evasion strategies that are commonly seen in seals and turtles.
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