Killer Whales Target Great White Sharks, Study Finds

AUAustralia|

A recent study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution has revealed that killer whales are not only capable of preying on great white sharks but may specifically target their livers. This finding follows an investigation of a great white shark, approximately 4.6 meters in length, that washed ashore in southeastern Australia in October 2023. The carcass showed multiple bite marks, and researchers identified killer whale DNA from the wounds.

Isabella Reeves, lead author and PhD candidate at Flinders University, noted that eyewitness accounts from local beachgoers had indicated killer whales hunting a large prey shortly before the shark was found. Similar predatory patterns have been documented previously off the coasts of South Africa and California.

Senior author Adam Miller highlighted the ecological implications of such predation, suggesting that a decrease in the population of great white sharks could disrupt marine ecosystems, as they play a crucial role in regulating fish populations. The study emphasizes the need for monitoring these predator-prey interactions in Australian waters, as they may be more common than previously thought.

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