A massive 15-foot great white shark has been found washed up on a coastline after being taken down by an even larger predator shortly after it had consumed a dolphin.
The great white was discovered on the South African coast by a local resident who came across the mutilated remains at the mouth of the Nyara River in southeast South Africa on May 28. Biologist Alison Towner shared images of the discovery on social media following a necropsy on the shark, which confirmed that it had fallen victim to " killer whale predation".
Veterinarians completed their examination of the shark's body the day after it was found and discovered a common dolphin, neatly cut into four pieces, in its stomach - indicating it had been recently eaten. The most revealing evidence that the shark had been attacked by an orca were tooth marks found on the animal's head and the absence of its liver.
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This "significant" find is the 14th confirmed instance of a great white shark being killed by an orca in South Africa since 2015. Scientists studying this behavior believe that killer whales are specifically targeting sharks for their livers, with increasing evidence suggesting this behavior is becoming more prevalent, reports the Mirror .
In 2017, the mysterious case of five great white sharks found without their livers in Gansbaai had marine experts scratching their heads. Fast forward to May 2022, and the puzzle began to unravel as drone footage revealed two male orcas, dubbed Port and Starboard for their distinctively bent dorsal fins, expertly hunting sharks and extracting their livers with "surgical precision".
The gruesome discovery near Ms Towner's home last February of seven gill shark carcasses, all liver-less, immediately raised her suspicions about Port and Starboard. By June, her theory seemed spot on when Starboard was caught on camera executing a great white shark in less than two minutes, flaunting its liver by a tourist boat.
Killer whales, known for their social nature and collaborative hunting strategies targeting sea lions, whales, and sharks, are now also recognized for solo hunts showcasing their advanced predatory skills, as demonstrated by Starboard's solitary kill.
Typically, the sharks' bodies were left almost untouched except for a precise cut at the shoulder where the liver was removed. One hypothesis suggests that this peculiar tactic allows orcas to feast on the nutrient-rich liver while avoiding damage to their teeth from the shark's rough skin a single liver is sufficient for a hearty meal.
The unearthed actions have become the focal point of several scientific studies, and while the findings are notably interesting, scientists recognize the grave consequences for the oceanic ecosystem. Increasingly, we see the numbers of great white sharks and seven gill sharks dwindling, pushing them towards migration.
This could elevate the count of predator species, disrupting the balance in the ecosystem. Another possible effect could be a phenomenon identified as a mesopredator release, wherein medium-sized predator populations drastically increase when larger carnivores and apex predators vanish.
Ms. Towner is part of a team of experts who persistently observe the hunting instincts of orcas to comprehend them better. The solo takedown of a great white by Starboard was highlighted in an article in the African Journal of Marine Science released in March.
Moreover, Simon Elwen, a whale conservation expert, pointed out that orcas have the ability to "rapidly learn new hunting techniques on their own or from others". Ms. Towner called the revelations "groundbreaking", emphasizing: "The astonishing predation, off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa, represents unprecedented behavior underscoring the exceptional proficiency of the killer whale."
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