Killer Whales 'Port' and 'Starboard' Return in South Africa, Duo Ate Livers of 17 Sharks in One Day

Killer whales are known for hunting fish, seals, squid, and other marine animals. However, both anecdotal evidence and documented evidence in recent years have proven that they also hunt several shark species, even the notorious predator, great white sharks. In spite their fierce track record, there is still no reported fatal attacks by killer whales on humans in the wild.

For instance, two orcas named 'Port' and 'Starboard' killed at least 17 sharks in the waters off South Africa within a single day in late February. This is not the first time that the due killer whales were reported stalking, preying, and killing sharks. Since their first discovery in 2015, the presence of Port and Starboard has led to a localized shark evacuation off the South African country.

Port and Starboard Returns

Port and Starboard are the names of two infamous orcas known for swimming off the coast of South Africa. Known for their collapsed dorsal fins, which is rare in the wild, Port's fin bends to the left and Starboard's bends to the right. The duo killer whales went on a killing spree on February 24, where they killed at least 17 broadnose sevengill sharks in a single day, according to the website Earthsky.

The whales only consumed the livers of the sharks, which were left dead and their bodies to wash up on a South African beach. The incident is considered rare since it not everyday that local residents and authorities in South Africa see the pair of killer marine animals hunting sharks.

In 2015, the male orcas Port and Starboard was first discovered after scuba divers found several dead, floating broadnose sevengill sharks. Scientists then attributed the shark deaths to the two predatory killer whales, Earthsky recalls.

Furthermore, the years 2017 and 2019 saw the washing up of dead great white sharks on the South African coast, where it was observed that their livers were eaten out from their bodies. In 2020, the previously shark-infested waters of South Africa's False Bay has reportedly nearly became a 'ghost town' after almost hundreds of great white sharks moved out from the area.

Orcas Kill Great White Sharks

It was in October 2022 when news about scientists confirming that orcas also chase and kill great white sharks. This comes after the marine mammal was caught on video by a drone making a snack on of the world's largest sea predators, The Guardian reported.

In the 3-minute aerial drone clip uploaded on YouTube by Sea Search Research & Conservation, it can be seen that a pod of killer whales are encircling white sharks in Mossel Bay, South Africa.

Based from an official press release by the marine research organization, this is the "first direct evidence" of orcas killing great white sharks in South Africa. In addition to the drone, the feeding frenzy was also captured by a helicopter.

Findings about the study was published in the journal Ecology of The Ecological Society of America in October.