“Orcas are highly intelligent and social animals. Their group hunting methods make them incredibly effective predators,” noted Dr. Sion Elwen, a marine animal specialist and co-author of the study, who serves as the director of Sea Search and an associate researcher at Stellenbosch University.The study also sheds light on the attempts made by sharks to escape the clutches of the whales. In the footage, on two occasions, the whales approached the sharks slowly, and the sharks remained close to the whales, keeping them in sight—a common tactic previously used only by seals and turtles when hunting sharks. It is possible that the sharks are adopting this behavior as they are not accustomed to being preyed upon. However, given that whales hunt in groups, this strategy may not be as effective for sharks trying to escape.
This unprecedented observation of orcas hunting great white sharks not only expands our understanding of these remarkable creatures but also highlights the ever-evolving dynamics of predator-prey relationships in the natural world.
