In the first known footage of its kind, an orca is seen attacking a whale shark to eat its liver off the coast of Baja California, Mexico
An orca has attacked an adult whale shark to eat its liver off the coast of Baja California in Mexico, allegedly the first encounter of its kind caught on camera.
The orca attack was spotted back in April during an expedition in the Gulf of California, by CEO of ocean expedition company Ocean Safaris, James Moskito. In the video – which Moskito recorded as he swam – the animal plunges its teeth into the side of a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) – estimated by Moskito to be around 8.2m (27 ft) long, swiftly removing its liver before the shark sinks into the water away from the camera’s view.
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Shortly after the first incident, the orcas killed another whale shark, according to Moskito and others at the site. An adult orca whale (Orcinus orca) – known as Montezuma – was identified by Moskito as one of the individuals involved in the whale shark attack.
‘He’s a known killer whale, and he was with this different pod this time,’ Moskito said. ‘He was not with his normal pod. He was kind of the instigator of the stuff, even though in the video it’s a female biting it [the whale shark], not the male.’
Why do orcas eat shark livers?
Incidents of orcas attacking sharks for their livers have been recorded since 2015 off the coast of Gansbaai in South Africa, with great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and sevengill sharks also targeted by the animals.
Back in February, a pair of orcas – named Port and Starboard – killed 17 whale sharks in a single day back off the coast of South Africa, but only ate the highly-calorific livers from their kills. And just several days later, 11 broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) were found dead ashore, with injuries identified as being caused by orcas ripping their livers out before leaving the animals to die.
‘Rough calculations suggest a single white shark liver might sustain a single orca for a day,’ said marine biologist at South Africa’s Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Ralph Watson.
Scientists theorise that the nutritious qualities of the organ, which contains the nutrient-packed oil squalene – coupled with its buoyancy – make it a preferable food source for orcas.
‘Orcas may have learned that consuming shark livers provides high energy and nutrients,’ marine biologist with South African National Parks, Alison Kock, said.
‘Sharks’ livers are large and buoyant, and they float to the surface of the water when a shark is killed. This makes them easy for orcas to spot and access, compared to other organs that may sink to the bottom or be harder to locate.’
However, the exact reason for orcas attacking sharks for their livers it is not yet understood. Scientists are still unsure to what extent wild animals are able to understand their nutritional requirements, and if they make purposeful decisions over their food choices depending on minerals or vitamins, according to animal physiologist and microbial ecologist at the University of Pittsburgh, Kevin Kohl.
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