In South Africa, a pair of orcas is driving and killing great white sharks from their natural habitat. According to a study published Thursday in the African Journal of Marine Science, great white sharks are now avoiding the coastal area around Gansbaai, previously considered one of the most legendary spots in the world for spotting the giant predators.
According to the study, eight great white sharks have washed ashore in the region since 2017 following an orca attack. Seven of them were missing their livers, and some were also missing their hearts—wounds clearly inflicted by the same orca pair.
High number of unreported cases
Researchers suspect that other great white sharks were also killed that weren’t washed ashore. Orcas (killer whales) are found worldwide and feed on fish and seals, among other predators.
The results of the study, which began in 2017, indicate that the attacks triggered a rapid and long-term mass expulsion of great white sharks. Sightings of great white sharks in Gansbaai have “dramatically declined” since 2017.
Located in South Africa’s Western Cape province, Gansbaai attracts tourists from all over the world who want to see great white sharks from diving cages.
Increasing presence
As yet unpublished data indicate that the presence of orcas in coastal regions of South Africa continues to increase. It is suspected that the orca pair may belong to a rare, shark-eating subspecies that hunts at least three species of shark.
The changes in hunting behavior could be related to a decline in various fish populations that have previously been prey for the orcas, Towner said.
