Killer whale hunts and eats great white shark | BBC News
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
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#Sharks #Orcas #KillerWhales #SouthAfrica #BBCNews
36 comments
What wasn't stated is that the Orca had been self-dieting for some time and then couldn't keep up the diet
any longer. Feeling a bit dizzy, it was time to load up on protein and what better source than a Great White shark?
They’re called Killer Whales for a reason
I didn't see anything???
"Every shark look impressive before they fight me" – Jon The Orca Jones
Poor sharks. Not a fan of orcas
Idi Amin also used to eat the liver of his opponents.
Amazing. I knew they were apex, but wow!
They are so intelligent killer whales.
They do that
Orcas are more intelligent than great white sharks and weigh 9 to 10 tonnes. You can’t imagine the force exacted on its targets. Being less intelligent the great white bites first, the orca knows the crack. Great whites are beautiful but deadly, they don’t have cognitive reception to defer from seals so they kill. Orcas are bigger, faster and stronger. To all the victims, this is for you. X
What actually stands out is the people who news outfits bring on and pretend they are experts on this topic.. You will NEVER see an Orca/s eating a white shark.. You WILL see (if lucky) them killing it, and eating their livers ONLY… Why? Uhm.. Because of the nutrients maybe!?! Don't even need a degree to understand this.. These s0rry excuses for 'experts' are second only to those who proclaim that Orcas are actually wales.. BBC..
It’s not easily obtained nothing there is great Minerals in the liver it could be a dietary supplement! The liver to them is like Vitamin C capsule to Us!
Geaux orcas!!!!!
Gonna need a bigger boat.
Why is an easy victim still called, 'great?'
1:03 How is this guy a marine mammal scientist without knowing animals prefer the liver due to its nutritional value? Also a shark is not a terrifying creature to the much bigger and smarter Orca. Orca's are superior in pretty much every way.
The orca eats shark livers
The commentator is tight with some of her words….Says a lot……eating liver because its the best most nutritious flesh there…..No rocket science….BBC
Bird Brian Corporation
I think what's happening with those boats is the I think the propellers have probably killed a few members of their paws and they're just going after boats in general mainly looks like the Rutter's look like they were pushing the rudder into the propeller
I guess there has to be an Orca week
So great white shark isn't white !! 🤔
Crappy footage, Bimbo reporting. Orcas have bigger teeth. Sharks are kind of dumb. I just eat the fin and throw the rest away.
Orca: "Sushi!"
How is it a large meal if they only eat their livers?
They attack from the side to damage the organs, shutting the shark down internally; Therefore they can’t run, or even react to the attack.
probably been doing this since Jesus time
They are mammals.It's a different category from animal.
They eat the liver the same reason bears eat salmon's heads, because it's full of nutrients.
That's gotta be Starboard.
Representing south africa…aweee ma se kind
"…Leave scientists wondering how shark-eating orcas are affecting the food chain." Dude, it's nature doing nature. If anyone has upset the balance by introducing non-native species and overfishing, polluting, etc, I think humans are at the top of the disturbance list.
Great white shark, because it's white?
Killer whale, because it's black?🧐
Shark liver is rquivalent of wagyu a5 for us humans
Orca has like full meal for a single hunt, then he’s like “nah, I’ll hunt 3 more just for liver”.
That is a male orca that thing's probably 25 to 28 ft long about 10,000 lb it is not to be f*** with not even a great white shark that thing can handle anything you want by himself
Informative I guess but 0 entertainment 🤔🤔😐😐🥱🥱😴😴✌🏾