Orca pod documented hunting whale sharks in Pacific Ocean

A new study has documented how a pod of orcas in the Pacific Ocean hunts whale sharks, the largest fish in the world. This behavior was previously suggested but not confirmed until now, with researchers capturing four hunting events on camera. The orcas target younger whale sharks, which are more vulnerable. They use a strategy of high-speed body slams to flip the sharks upside down, inducing a state of temporary paralysis before attacking. This method allows them to access the sharks' nutrient-rich livers. The study suggests that these orcas may form a new ecotype that specializes in hunting sharks. While orcas are known to prey on various marine animals, their hunting of whale sharks has not significantly impacted the shark population in the Gulf of California.