Scientists captured striking drone footage in the Gulf of California of orcas killing juvenile great white sharks by flipping them into tonic immobility and consuming their livers, a behavior detailed Monday in Frontiers in Marine Science. Lead author Erick Higuera, who first filmed it in August 2020 with Marco Villegas, initially misidentified the prey. Researchers say this pod’s focus on young great whites—rather than larger adults—may reflect easier kills and naive sharks, as shifting ocean conditions appear to be bringing more juveniles to the area. The repeated attacks raise fresh questions about predator dynamics.
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