Orcas in Gulf of California Unveil New Hunting Strategies on Sharks

Recent research has revealed a striking new behavior among orcas in the Gulf of California, where they have been observed hunting juvenile great white sharks by flipping them over to incapacitate them. This discovery, highlighted in videos released on October 22, 2023, suggests that these orcas may specialize in targeting sharks, a significant finding in marine biology.

In the first documented instance, which occurred in August 2020, independent marine biologist Erick Higuera captured aerial footage of five female orcas working in unison to push a young great white shark to the surface and turn it upside down. This technique induces a state called tonic immobility, effectively immobilizing the shark and rendering it defenseless. Higuera explained, “This temporary state renders the shark defenseless, allowing the orcas to extract its nutrient-rich liver and likely consume other organs as well, before abandoning the rest of the carcass.”

The footage shows the orcas successfully retrieving the liver of the shark, highlighting their sophisticated hunting strategies. A similar event was recorded in August 2022, where the same group of orcas demonstrated the same behavior with another juvenile shark. The researchers noted that these hunting techniques appear to be passed down through generations, indicating a high level of social learning and intelligence among these marine mammals.

Dr. Salvador Jorgensen, a researcher from California State University, commented on the significance of these findings. He noted that this is the first time scientists have observed orcas repeatedly targeting juvenile great white sharks. He pointed out that adult great whites tend to flee quickly from orcas, often leaving their seasonal habitats for months. “But these juvenile white sharks may be naive to orcas,” Jorgensen added. “We just don’t know yet whether white shark anti-predator flight responses are instinctual or need to be learned.”

The study raises important questions about the predator-prey dynamics in marine ecosystems. While this particular pod of orcas is the first observed hunting elasmobranchs, researchers suggest there may be others employing similar strategies. Dr. Francesca Pancaldi from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas indicated that understanding these extraordinary feeding behaviors will be crucial in determining the orcas’ critical habitats. This knowledge can inform conservation efforts aimed at protecting both orcas and their prey.

In a related incident in 2022, a pod of orcas was seen chasing sharks off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa, during a lengthy pursuit. Such instances further underscore the adaptability and intelligence of orcas as apex predators in the ocean.

These findings not only enrich our understanding of orca behaviors but also highlight the intricate balance of marine ecosystems. As research continues, it may pave the way for enhanced protective measures to mitigate human impacts on these vital habitats.