World News
Published March 5, 2024, 7:22 p.m. ET
Shocking footage shows the moment a 60-year-old grandmother orca attacks and kills a great white shark.
The incredibly rare fatal encounter, filmed as part of National Geographic's limited series Queens, showed the orca named Sophia attacking and devouring the shark.
“Orcas are very smart animals,” said Dr. Chris Lowe told ABC News. “They are very powerful and in some cases probably even stronger than a great white shark.”
Scientists believe this is the first time a single orca has been filmed killing a great white shark.
“I think what we're seeing is probably an anomaly. I don’t think that happens that often,” Lowe said. “We often think that great white sharks are the largest predator in the ocean, when in reality they are orcas.”
The footage is believed to be the first time a solo orca has been filmed killing a great white shark. National Geographic The shark was killed by a 60-year-old grandmother whale named Sophia. National Geographic Orcas can grow up to 30 feet long and weigh six tons. Getty Images
Orcas, also known as killer whales, can grow up to 9 meters long and weigh up to six tons. They are social animals that typically live in groups called pods that work together to find food.
The lone wolf attack on the shark could be an adaptation caused by climate change.
Orcas appear to have become more aggressive, and there have been numerous reports of whale attacks on ships in recent years. Some attacks appeared to be revenge.
In one incident off the coast of Gibraltar, a killer whale even tore off the rudder of a catamaran with its teeth.
“It probably has something to do with behaviors and the way they interact with these objects,” Lowe said. “Whether they're used, you know, to just make them a nuisance, which is very different than attacking and killing something that you get food from.”
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