A pair of orcas off the coast of South Africa have shown a unique hunting behavior that involves killing great white sharks and extracting their nutrient-rich livers. The astonishing hunting approach has not only driven away the sharks from certain areas around Cape Town but also raised questions about its impact on the wider marine ecosystem. The findings, published in the African Journal of Marine Science, provide insights into the behavior of these highly intelligent and social creatures.

In a groundbreaking observation made last year, scientists witnessed a male orca named Starboard single-handedly kill a 2.5-meter juvenile white shark within a span of just two minutes. This solitary hunting by an orca challenges the conventional belief that orcas primarily engage in cooperative hunting behaviors. Previous attacks on great whites typically involved two to six orcas and lasted up to two hours.

Dr. Primo Micarelli, a marine biologist at Italy's Sharks Studies Centre and the University of Siena, expressed awe and concern about the profound impact these killer whales have had on the local white shark population. He witnessed Starboard carrying a white shark's liver past their vessel, an unforgettable sight that raises concerns about the coastal marine ecology balance.

The study, led by Alison Towner, a doctoral researcher at Rhodes University, reveals that the presence of these shark-hunting orcas might be connected to broader changes in the ecosystem. However, the exact drivers for their arrival and shifted hunting behavior remain unknown. The researchers note that human activities, such as climate change and industrial fishing, are creating stress on the oceans, emphasizing the need for additional research and funding to understand these dynamics fully.

The hunt, observed on June 18, 2023, near Mossel Bay, took place just 800 meters offshore. After less than an hour, Starboard killed a shark by gripping its left pectoral fin and eviscerating it within two minutes. Port, Starboard's male companion, stayed at a distance of 100 meters and did not participate in the kill. The orca duo, recognizable by their dorsal fins bending in opposite directions, is well-known among researchers and has been hunting and killing great white sharks for years.

The orcas' selective feeding behavior, discarding the rest of the shark carcass and consuming only the liver, is similar to other carnivores such as harbor seals, brown bears, and wolves. Great white shark livers are massive organs, comprising about a third of their body mass, and are rich in lipids.

The swift attack by Starboard on the juvenile great white shark may be attributed to the prey's smaller size. The study suggests that the orca's skill and efficiency as a predator could be a response to the stress of hunting close to human-populated shorelines.

While the phenomenon of killer whales hunting great whites continues to develop, researchers are concerned about the impact on the shark population. As the sharks relocate, they may come into contact with heavy commercial fisheries, putting them at further risk.

The observations made in this study shed light on the fascinating abilities and behaviors of these two killer whales. As top predators, killer whales are capable of rapidly learning new hunting techniques, both independently and from others. Monitoring and understanding their behavior is crucial to gaining a deeper understanding of these remarkable creatures and their role in the marine ecosystem.

In conclusion, these solitary orcas taking down great white sharks off the coast of South Africa provide valuable insights into the hunting behavior of these intelligent predators. As scientists strive to keep pace with rapid developments in this phenomenon, the need for research and funding becomes increasingly imperative to ensure a balanced and thriving marine ecosystem.