A remarkable and unprecedented event was captured on camera off the coast of South Africa, as a solitary killer whale was filmed hunting and killing a great white shark. The astonishing attack, described by scientists as a display of exceptional predatory skills, has raised questions about the impact of killer whale behavior on shark populations in the area.

Dr. Alison Towner, a shark biologist from Rhodes University, and her colleagues have been studying killer whales for several years. Their recent observations have revealed a male killer whale swiftly hunting and consuming a juvenile shark in under two minutes. This behavior, described as ‘solo and swift’ by scientists, was deemed unprecedented and unexpected.

Previously, in 2022, scientists captured aerial footage of two male orcas working together to hunt great white sharks. These orcas, nicknamed Port and Starboard due to their bent dorsal fins, exhibited a predilection for extracting and consuming the sharks’ livers. However, the recent attack witnessed Starboard hunting on his own, showcasing remarkable predatory skills in tackling the shark.

Dr. Luke Rendell, a marine mammal scientist from the University of St Andrews, described the observation as ‘really beautiful’ and emphasized the skill demonstrated by the orca in tackling the shark. He highlighted the potential impact of killer whale behavior on shark populations, especially in areas where sharks occur in sufficient numbers.

The behavior of killer whales and their impact on shark populations raises questions about the influence of human activities, such as climate change and industrial fishing. While the driving force behind this behavior remains unknown, it is evident that the interaction between killer whales and sharks is a fascinating area of study for scientists.