The balance of power between oceanic predators is in a constant ebb and flow, with the great white shark having long held the title of the undisputed apex predator. With its sleek silhouette and razor-sharp teeth, it has struck fear into land and ocean-dwellers alike for generations. However, this narrative has been thrown into disarray as orcas have emerged as formidable contenders for the throne of oceanic supremacy.
National Geographic groundbreaking footage has captured the defining moment when an orca named Sofia, a 60-year-old matriarch, surprised the world with a precise – and fatal – attack on a great white shark. “Sofia may be a grandmother, but her age is no obstacle when it comes to providing for her family,” explains NatGeo in their new show, ‘Queens.’ “She’s an adept hunter who’ll stop at nothing to feed those who depend on her.” With actor Angela Bassett narrating the scene, Sofia’s calculated strike showcases not only her hunting prowess but that the established hierarchy of the ocean may be incorrect.
It’s not great white sharks that rule the azure waters of our planet. It’s orcas.
Characterized by their striking black-and-white coloring and distinctive saddle patch behind the dorsal fin, orcas belong to the oceanic dolphin family and exhibit remarkable intelligence and social complexity. Highly adaptable, they thrive in diverse marine environments, from the icy waters of the poles to the tropical seas near the equator. Also known as killer whales, they are renowned for their sophisticated hunting techniques, which vary depending on their geographic location and available prey. They are opportunistic feeders, preying on fish, seals, sea lions, and even large marine mammals like whales. Orcas exhibit a fascinating social structure, organized into matrilineal family groups known as pods, led by older females. These pods, consisting of several generations, exhibit intricate communication through vocalizations and body language, fostering tight-knit bonds essential for cooperative hunting and social cohesion.
It’s their hunting skills that have captivated researchers and enthusiasts alike in the last few years. Specifically the tale of Port and Starboard, orcas often observed hunting together off the coast of South Africa, particularly near Cape Town and Mossel Bay. Their cooperative hunting strategies involve targeting large prey, such as great white sharks and sevengill sharks, employing techniques that include tearing the pectoral girdle and carefully extracting the calorie-rich liver while leaving the rest of the shark intact.
In a startling departure from the typical cooperative hunting observed among orcas, Starboard’s solo venture in Mossel Bay was documented in June 2023 and just brought to light. The footage captures the orca swiftly killing an eight-foot-long great white shark and parading its bloody liver past a nearby boat, showcasing a level of predatory efficiency that transcends conventional wisdom.
“Starboard’s predation strategy here really surprised us,” says Dr. Alison Towner, a shark expert at Rhodes University who led the study. “Previously, we observed him hunting near others, noting teamwork in securing white sharks and accessing their livers.” Towner reveals that after this kill, great white sharks vacated the area for four months, returning in smaller numbers. This pattern aligns with previous orca attacks, indicating a potential ripple effect on coastal South Africa’s ecosystem. While unregulated overfishing remains a substantial threat to shark populations, the orcas’ impact adds pressure to already vulnerable fish species.
This is not the first, nor last, time a showdown between these animals will occur on our planet. We’re seeing evidence of these animals killing great whites worldwide, such as Australia. It’s undeniable: the great white shark, long hailed as the unrivaled ruler of the seas, faces an unforeseen challenge from the enigmatic killer whale.
But what does that mean for great white sharks? And for the underwater communities impacted by this smackdown? Only time will tell.
