Two orcas (Orcinus orca) have started a killing spree off Pearly Beach on the southern tip of South Africa. Photo/Live Science/Marine Dynamics
Orcas only prey on the heart of their prey and leave large parts of the victim’s body torn apart to rot on the beach. This event is a big question mark why the bloodthirsty orcas are so eager to target the hearts of their prey.
The disorienting massacre caught the attention of Alison Kock, a South African National Parks marine biologist. Through his Twitter account, he said that two male orcas known as Port and Starboard carried out a crazy action to prey on 19 sharks on February 23, 2023.
“They may initially learn from experience when they first predate a new species. This means that once orcas know the location of the liver on a shark, they will remember it forever and become more efficient[hunters],” said Kock quoted by SINDOnews from the Live Science page, Wednesday (8/3/2023).
However, this isn’t the first time the orca duo has wreaked havoc in this area. In 2017, a pair of male orcas slaughtered at least eight great white sharks. In all but one case, they simply ate the shark’s liver, leaving the rest of the body to decompose.
“It seems that shark liver is very nutritious and has a lot of fat and vitamins. Orcas may have learned that consuming shark liver provides high levels of energy and nutrition,” said Kock.
Killer whales often hunt in groups or in pairs so they can corner the sharks. This strategy is important because it gives them an advantage in acquiring prey.