Orcas Develop New Hunting Techniques for Whale Sharks

Recent studies have revealed that orcas in the Gulf of California are employing new, coordinated hunting techniques to target whale sharks, the world's largest fish. Over a six-year period from 2018 to 2024, researchers documented four distinct attacks, in which orcas, led by a male named Moctezuma, effectively incapacitate whale sharks by flipping them upside down and attacking their pelvic area, inducing a state of paralysis. This behavior marks a significant shift in orca hunting practices, suggesting the existence of a specialized pod that has adapted to hunt these large filter feeders. Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas highlighted that the targeted attacks allow orcas to access the nutrient-rich liver of the whale sharks. The findings raise concerns regarding the ecological implications of these predatory behaviors as orcas increasingly adapt their strategies. Photographs and videos from the public have aided researchers in identifying individual orcas involved in these predation events.