Since 2017, two orcas in particular have beenwreaking havoc on the great whitesoff South Africas Mossel Bay.
Dubbed Port and Starboard (cute!
The teams analysis of the recent meal waspublishedin the African Journal of Marine Science.
A great white shark carcass.Photo:Christiaan Stopforth, Drone Fanatics SA
The solitary hunter (and diner) was Starboard, a male orca with a collapsed dorsal fin.
The researchers watched Starboard incapacitate and eat a juvenile great white shark in two minutes.
Seeing Starboard carry a white sharks liver past our vessel is unforgettable.
An orca taking down a great white shark.Photo:Christiaan Stopforth, Drone Fanatics SA
The video shows Starboard splashing off Mossel Bay, apparently preying on the shark.
The researchers aboard Shark Warrior later snapped a photo of Starboard with the shark liver in his mouth.
Despite my awe for these predators, Im increasingly concerned about the coastal marine ecology balance, Micarelli added.
In other words, the orcas hunger seemed to be impacting the food chain in the ecosystem.
Orcas are cunning predators with an evident nasty streak.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
Orcas Are Wearing Salmon Hats.
