Researchers from the Academy of Marine Dynamics have published a study in the journal Ecological Society of America. how killer whales hunt white sharks. The behavior was recorded using a helicopter and drone and for the first time captures in great detail white sharks being preyed upon by killer whales. The study took place in the Mossel Bay region of South Africa.

See how a diver defends himself from a shark attack

Killer whales usually feed on several species of sharks, but reports of white shark attacks are rare. Marine dynamics researcher Alison Towner says that Killer whales are highly intelligent animals and have advanced hunting strategies in groups.. “This behavior has never been documented in detail before, certainly not from the air.” “Orcas” [orcas] They are extremely intelligent and social animals. Their group hunting methods make them very effective predators.”

In the video above we see how The killer whale’s strategy is to distract the shark while another attacks from below.. The shark circles around the killer whale to distance itself over time and keeps the predator in sight. This strategy is effective but ineffective against animals that hunt in groups. Interestingly, the failed plan is the same one used by seals and turtles to avoid shark attacks, and it works because they hunt alone.

Sharks have disappeared from the region

After the attacks were recorded, white sharks disappeared from the Mossel area. The graph published in the study shows that in 45 days of records, sharks were seen only 3 times . Before that, white sharks were observed regularly and in large numbers in the region.

In a video posted on the YouTube channel of the Center for Marine Research and Conservation, a group of five killer whales hunts. This behavior worries researchers, as it indicates cultural transmission – when adult animals teach other adults of the same species, the new behavior tends to become a pattern. The footage shows the more experienced killer whale teaching others how to execute the plan. If this happens and such behavior becomes commonplace, the region could be severely affected.

When white sharks leave their habitat, the fauna is affected as the region loses its natural predator. In addition, local tourism is dependent on the presence of great white sharks and such a change could seriously damage the local economy. Over time, white sharks should return to their place when they feel they are safe again if the cause of killer whale behavior is also removed.

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Source: DroneXL

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