Orcas Develop New Hunting Strategy for Whale Sharks

Researchers have documented a remarkable new hunting strategy employed by killer whales in the Gulf of California, where they target and immobilize whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, describes how orcas coordinate their attacks by flipping the sharks upside down, inducing a state of tonic immobility, which makes them vulnerable. Notably, a male orca named Moctezuma was involved in three of the four recorded hunts, showcasing a collaborative approach among pod members to focus on the sharks' pelvic areas to access nutrient-rich organs. This behavior highlights the adaptability and intelligence of orcas as apex predators. The findings raise important questions about marine ecosystem dynamics and the impact of human activities on these hunting practices. Conservationists stress the need for management of marine tourism to protect these delicate interactions.