Orcas shock South African scientists with unusual cold-blooded killing of sharks
- Orcas usually hunt dolphins in these parts and evidence of attacks on great whites was previously limited
- All evidence points to Port and Starboard, an infamous pair of killer whales spotted off Gansbaai, southeast of Cape Town
Scores of disembowelled sharks have washed up on a South African beach putting the spotlight on a pair of shark-hunting killer whales whose behaviour has fascinated scientists and wildlife enthusiasts.
Marine biologists were alerted to the find by beach walkers who stumbled upon the grim sight last week in Gansbaai, a small fishing port 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of Cape Town.
“The dead sharks are torn open at the pelvic girdle, they have Orca teeth marks known as rake marks on their pectoral fins and their liver is missing,” said Alison Towner, 37, a shark scientist with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust.
All evidence points to “Port” and “Starboard”, an infamous pair of killer whales spotted off Gansbaai only three days earlier.
Recognisable by their twisted dorsal fins, the animals, who are well-known to locals, have developed a penchant for sharks.