A recent video posted on Drone Fanatics SA’s Facebook page showcased a stunning natural display of a violent encounter between two orcas and a great white shark near Mossel Bay’s Seal Island, off the Southern Cape coast. This incident is believed to be the first recorded eye-witness account of such a battle captured from a boat, without the use of a drone.
Orcas’ Recent Attacks on Sharks along the South African Coastline
The orcas involved in the breathtaking encounter are familiar to the South African coastline. The whales, known as ‘Starboard’ and ‘Port’, have been in the headlines for their recent attacks on sharks along the coast. Ralph Watson, a spokesperson for the Marine Dynamics Academy, reported that the two orcas were seen diving repeatedly for nearly two hours in a small area off the coast in January. After the sighting, eleven dead broadnose sevengill shark carcasses were discovered on a nearby beach.
Missing Livers of Female Sharks
Alison Towner, a PhD candidate at Rhodes University, reported that each of the sevengill sharks had their liver torn open and missing. These female sharks measured between 1.6 and 2.3 meters and had injuries similar to those found on sharks killed by the same orca pair in False Bay. A 3.5-meter great white shark’s scarring indicated that it may have survived an attack by the pair of orcas along South Africa’s southern coastline.
Orcas vs. Great White Sharks: Seal Island Off False Bay
In 2017, a group of researchers captured the interaction between orcas and great white sharks on camera near Seal Island off False Bay. This area is a well-known hotspot for great white sharks. However, in 2019, the sharks abandoned this prime seal-hunting spot. Scientists suggest that the presence of the orca pair preying on sharks and devouring their livers may have contributed to the sharks’ disappearance.
The Delicate Balance of Power in the Marine Ecosystem
The fascinating interaction between orcas and great white sharks highlights the delicate balance of power in the marine ecosystem. Great white sharks were considered the top predators in the region before the arrival of orcas. The introduction of another apex predator has shifted the equilibrium, showing that even nature’s most fearsome predators can fall prey to a formidable adversary.
The Future of Great White Sharks in the Area
The dramatic dance between two predators has captured worldwide attention, raising questions about the future of great white sharks in the area. As more incidents involving orca attacks on sharks are documented, it underscores the importance of understanding the intricacies of marine ecosystems to preserve the delicate balance that allows these magnificent creatures to coexist.
As the constant struggle between these mighty predators unfolds before our eyes, it serves as a reminder that the circle of life is a never-ending process. The presence of orcas in South Africa’s waters has undoubtedly altered the dynamics within the marine ecosystem. Only time will tell how these changes will affect the delicate balance between the ocean’s most powerful predators.
