{"id":426991,"date":"2024-12-03T12:04:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T12:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=426991"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Killer-whales-invent-unique-ways-to-hunt-giant-whale-sharks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Killer-whales-invent-unique-ways-to-hunt-giant-whale-sharks\/","title":{"rendered":"Killer whales invent unique ways to hunt giant whale sharks"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

The whale shark is brought shallower to the surface and one orca is biting near the pelvic area.(Kelsey Williamson via SWNS)<\/p>\n

-Kelsey Williamson,SWNS
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Stephen Beech via SWNS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A pod of killer whales<\/a> has developed “unique” skills to hunt the world\u2019s biggest fish.<\/p>\n

The orcas have been spotted<\/a> in the Gulf of California hunting whale sharks<\/a> – which grow up to 18 meters (59 ft) long – in “coordinated” attacks.<\/p>\n

Researchers believe the black and white apex predators – which normally feed on marine mammals, turtles, and smaller fish – may have gained “special” knowledge to allow them to hunt in a way never seen in their species before.<\/p>\n

Whale sharks<\/a> feed at sites in the Gulf of California, off Mexico, sometimes while they are still young and smaller.<\/p>\n

Scientists say that, at that stage of life, they are more vulnerable to attack from predators.<\/p>\n

Now, researchers in Mexico have reported four separate incidents of killer whales hunting<\/a> young whale sharks<\/a> for the first time.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas was senior author of the report published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe show how orcas displayed<\/a> a collaboratively hunting technique<\/a> on whale sharks, characterized by focusing on attacking the pelvic area causing the whale shark to bleed out and allow orcas access to the lipid-rich liver.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne individual was engaged in three of the four events, alongside with other members who might belong to a pod specialized in hunting sharks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The attacks occurred between 2018 and this year in the southern Gulf of California and were captured in images and videos taken by members of the public and scientists.<\/p>\n

Individual orcas were identified<\/a> by analyzing photographs of dorsal fins and distinctive features like scars.<\/p>\n

A male orca dubbed Moctezuma was present at three of the four hunts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Moctezuma, the adult male of the pod is identified as one of the killer whales involved in the attack. (James Moskito via SWNS)<\/p>\n

-By Talker
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A female orca previously observed<\/a> in the presence of Moctezuma participated in one hunt also, suggesting they could be related or members of the same pod.<\/p>\n

Higuera Rivas said: \u201cWhen hunting, all pod members work together, hitting the whale shark to turn it upside down.<\/p>\n

“In that position, the sharks enter a state of tonic immobility and can no longer move voluntarily or escape by going deeper.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy keeping it under control, the orcas then have greater ease and speed in approaching the pelvic area of \u00e2\u0080\u008b\u00e2\u0080\u008bthe shark and are able to extract organs of nutritional importance for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The research team says the orcas may be targeting<\/a> whale sharks\u2019 ventral side because there their bodies are thought to be the least protected. For example, there is less muscle and cartilage in that area, allowing easier access to the aorta.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Killer whale hits the whale shark with the side of its head. (Kelsey Williamson via SWNS)<\/p>\n

-By Talker
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They believe that hunting in such a way could imply that some orcas<\/a> in the Gulf of California have acquired “special skills” that help them prey on whale sharks.<\/p>\n

The researchers said other killer whale orcas<\/a> may have learned to do the same thing in other regions, but the evidence is limited.<\/p>\n

Higuera Rivas says the fact that there is a whale shark hunting pod in the Gulf of California increases the need for managing marine adventurers and tourists.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Kelsey Williamson via SWNS)<\/p>\n

-By Talker
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He said: \u201cThere must be a specific regulatory norm that guarantees that any type of non-extractive use activity is carried out in a respectful and sustainable manner.”<\/p>\n

Higuera Rivas believes that if the theory that Moctezuma and his pod have acquired ecological and behavioral information for hunting whale sharks<\/a> in the Gulf of California holds, the pod could be “vulnerable” to a possible disappearance of the specific prey due to climate change.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cIt is very impressive how orcas work together strategically and intelligently to access only a very specific area of \u00e2\u0080\u008b\u00e2\u0080\u008bthe prey.<\/p>\n

“It highlights what great predators they are.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

*EMBARGOED UNTIL 05.01 GMT, FRI NOV 29 (00.01 ET)*<\/p>\n

The whale shark is brought shallower to the surface and one orca is biting near the pelvic area. Photo released November 28 2024. A pod of killer whales has developed “unique” skills to hunt the world\u00c2\u0092s biggest fish.The orcas have been spotted in the Gulf of California hunting whale sharks – which grow up to 18 metres (59 ft) long – in “coordinated” attacks. Researchers believe the black and white apex predators – which normally feed on marine mammals, turtles, and smaller fish – may have gained “special” knowledge to allow them to hunt in a way never seen in their species before.Whale sharks feed at sites in the Gulf of California, off Mexico, sometimes while they are still young and smaller.<\/p>\n

-By Talker
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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