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A new study has found that orcas, or killer whales, have learned how to hunt and kill the world's largest fish species, whale sharks—which can grow up to twice the size of an orca.
Knewz.com has learned that the study has documented several instances of a pod of killer whales hunting down this behemoth prey in the Gulf of California between 2018 and 2024.
It is worth noting that whale sharks can grow to a maximum length of about 60 feet and can weigh up to 20 tonnes (or, 44,000 pounds). On the other hand, orcas generally range from 20 to 32 feet in length and can weigh up to 13,300 pounds.
To identify the individual orcas involved in the whale shark hunt, the team of researchers "captured and analyzed photographs of the dorsal fin and other distinctive features such as scars and/or nicks."
The team observed that the pod of orcas worked together on four separate occasions to hunt, kill, and feast on the gigantic whale sharks.
"When hunting, all pod members work together, hitting the whale shark to turn it upside down. In that position the sharks enter a state of tonic immobility and can no longer move voluntarily or escape by going deeper," said Erick Higuera Rivas, a marine biologist at nonprofit group Conexiones Terramar and a lead author of the study.
"By keeping it under control, the orcas then have greater ease and speed in approaching the pelvic area of the shark and are able to extract organs of nutritional importance for them," Rivas added in his statement in a news release.
It is worth noting that orcas earned the name "killer whale" from ancient sailors who saw them gang up and kill other whale species. Despite their nickname, orcas are actually the largest members of the dolphin family.
Regarding the ferocity of orcas, the study noted:
"Killer whales are the apex predator in global oceans, and as such they are afforded access to prey species at all trophic levels and sizes. Due to their enhanced cognitive abilities, they are frequent predators of other ocean giants, including large sharks."
"Observations of these predator-prey interactions are rare globally; however, records appear to be increasing in recent years, possibly due to increased access to surveillance," the study, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science added.
"Here we present reports of killer whales hunting and preying on the world’s largest fish species, the whale shark, by collating and analyzing photo and video footage collected from four unique predation events spanning six years (2018 – 2024) in the southern Gulf of California," the study further mentioned.
"Across all events, orcas displayed a seemingly approach to collaboratively hunting and killing whale sharks, characterized by focusing on attacking the pelvic area (claspers and pelvic fins) which exsanguinates the prey and allows access to the lipid-rich liver."
Scientists have theorized that the orcas have been targeting whale sharks in the Gulf of California because the gigantic fish – especially the more vulnerable younger ones – gather to feed there.
One of the videos captured of the hunt shows a whale shark lying on its back, "prone and bleeding from a pelvic wound," while a male orca named “Moctezuma” circles its prey. Another footage shows the pod of orcas surrounding an upturned and partially submerged whale shark, according to reports.
It has been pointed out that the whale shark population is in decline across the globe, and the giant fish species was listed as endangered in 2016.
It is worth noting that orcas have been known to prey on other species of sharks as well, including great whites. In 2022, it was reported that a pack of orcas hunted and killed a blue whale, the largest mammal and the largest animal to have ever lived on Earth.