Once Thought to Be the Ocean’s Ultimate Predator, “Great White Sharks” Now Face a Deadly New Threat – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel
For years, great white sharks ruled the oceans without fear. But something has changed—an unexpected predator is targeting them with surgical precision. A recent discovery in Australia has confirmed what scientists long suspected. The balance of power in the seas may be shifting foreverA new marine predator rivalry is emerging in the waters of Australia, shaking up the long-established hierarchy of the oceans. The great white shark, long feared as the apex predator of the seas, is now being outmatched by an even more formidable adversary—killer whales. Recent observations near Victoria’s coastline confirm what scientists have suspected for years: orcas are actively hunting great white sharks, targeting their nutrient-rich livers with surgical precision.For the first time, direct proof of orcas preying on great white sharks has been recorded in Australia. In October 2023, a 4.7-meter-long great white washed up on the shores of Portland, Victoria, missing its liver, digestive organs, and reproductive system. Just two days earlier, witnesses reported a group of orcas hunting a large prey in the same waters. Among them were two well-known individuals, Bent Tip and Ripple, notorious for their coordinated attacks.Forensic examination of the shark’s 50 cm wound near its pectoral fin revealed something extraordinary—DNA evidence of an orca attack. This marks a turning point in marine research, confirming that killer whales are not just competing with great white sharks—they are actively hunting them.Orcas are renowned for their intelligence and adaptability, hunting with advanced strategies that few marine species can counter. Their diet is incredibly diverse, including:But one specific trait makes orcas particularly deadly to great whites: their surgical precision. Across the globe, orcas have developed a technique to extract only the most valuable part of their prey. In South Africa, researchers have observed orcas dissecting great white sharks with pinpoint accuracy, removing their livers while leaving the rest of the body largely intact. This same pattern is now emerging in Australian waters.Why the liver? Shark livers are rich in lipids, an energy-dense nutrient that provides orcas with a high-calorie boost. This behavior suggests a level of strategic feeding rarely seen outside human hunting practices.This new predator-prey dynamic could have massive ecological consequences. In South Africa, the arrival of orcas in great white shark habitats has led to a dramatic drop in shark sightings. Fearful of attacks, many great whites have abandoned key hunting grounds, disrupting local marine ecosystems.If orcas continue hunting great white sharks in Australia, similar consequences could follow:For decades, the great white shark reigned as the undisputed top predator of the seas. Now, orcas are proving that intelligence and coordinated hunting tactics can outmatch raw power. These recent discoveries in Australia provide a new perspective on how marine superpredators interact—and suggest that orcas may be the ultimate rulers of the ocean.Got a reaction? Share your thoughts in the commentsEnjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest news.Old news nothing new hereOrcas have the edge due to their superior intelligence for instance I do not think a great white would interact with humans in a captive situation The way orcas can but I would not like to be in the water with eitherNat Geo did an episode about this a few yrs ago. They said an adult great white can have a1,000 pound liver that takes up to 90% of their abdomen. It’s that large to give it boyancy. All those oily lipids stored in the liver.How is this considered a “new” finding? Killer Whales have always been the planets ultimate APEX predator. They are much bigger, much more powerful and much smarter than Great Whites, it’s not even close.I heard about Orcas killing Great Whites when I was a little kid 30+ years ago. I assumed this was common knowledge.Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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