Imagine witnessing a group of orcas meticulously hunting great white sharks, not for the thrill of the kill, but for a specific, nutrient-rich prize: the shark’s liver. This jaw-dropping behavior, recently captured in drone footage off the coast of Mexico, is both fascinating and controversial. While orcas targeting sharks isn’t entirely new—similar incidents have been documented in South Africa, Australia, and California—this is the first time such behavior has been recorded in Mexican waters, according to a groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Marine Science. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: these orcas aren’t just randomly attacking; they’re employing a sophisticated strategy to immobilize their prey and extract the liver with surgical precision.
In one stunning incident from August 2020, a team of five female orcas was filmed using aerial and ground cameras working in perfect coordination to flip a young great white shark onto its back. This maneuver, known as inducing “tonic immobility,” renders the shark temporarily paralyzed, making it easier for the orcas to remove the liver without risking injury from the shark’s powerful jaws. Just minutes later, they repeated the process with another young shark, showcasing their remarkable hunting efficiency. A similar event was recorded in August 2022, confirming this isn’t an isolated occurrence.
But here’s the part most people miss: The study suggests that juvenile white sharks may be becoming a seasonal staple in the orcas’ diet, which could add significant pressure to already vulnerable shark populations. Erick Higuera, a wildlife cinematographer and marine biologist at Conexiones Terramar, expressed surprise at the orcas’ repeated hunting in the same area across different years. “This provides critical insights into the ecology of orcas in the Gulf of California, which can aid in the conservation of both species,” he told CNN.
Alison Towner, a marine biologist from Rhodes University in South Africa, who wasn’t involved in the study, praised the research, calling the evidence “strong.” She highlighted the transformative role of drone technology in understanding these interactions, noting that similar footage from South Africa reshaped our knowledge of orca-shark dynamics. “This new footage from Mexico allows us to compare behaviors across different orca groups and shark populations,” she added.
And this is where it gets controversial: While this hunting behavior isn’t widespread among all orcas, it appears to be a learned technique passed down within specific orca groups. Towner emphasized that once a group masters this method, it becomes ingrained in their hunting culture. The liver, rich in nutrients and disproportionately large for the shark’s size, offers a high nutritional reward for orcas skilled enough to handle such dangerous prey.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: If orcas are increasingly targeting juvenile white sharks, could this disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems? And if so, what steps should we take to protect both predators and prey? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s dive into this debate together!
