Thrilling encounter between killer whales and blue sharks off the coast of California

A dramatic encounter recently occurred off the coast of California that amazed even seasoned naturalists. The showdown? Between a shark and an orca. But before you’re thinking that this can be a retelling of one other major battle between great whites and killer whales off South Africa, wait a moment!

The shark involved on this fight was a blue shark. And this happened distant from the African continent.

blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are one of the widespread shark species and are present in temperate and tropical waters all over the world. Named for his or her distinct blue coloration on the upper body and shiny white underparts, these slender predators are characterised by their slender bodies and long, pointed snouts. At as much as 13 feet long, blue sharks are formidable hunters, preying totally on small fish and squid. Despite their fearsome appearance, they pose little threat to humans and are sometimes sought out by ecotourists for swimming. However, they’re threatened by overfishing and bycatch in industrial fisheries, making conservation efforts critical to make sure the continued survival of this iconic marine species.

Orcas or killer whales (Orcinus orca) are apex predators present in oceans worldwide, from the Arctic to Antarctica. Orcas are the most important members of the dolphin family and are known for his or her distinctive black and white coloring and very social nature. These intelligent creatures live in matrilineal groups led by older females and exhibit complex social structures and communication patterns. Their weight loss plan is diverse and varies depending on location, including fish, seals, sea lions and even other species of whales. Remarkably, orcas were observed hunting and consuming their prey in coordinated strategies, demonstrating their advanced hunting skills. This includes teaming as much as hunt great white sharks. This form of hunting, a behavior seen primarily off the coast of South Africa, was made famous by a pair of killer whales nicknamed Port and Starboard that developed a remarkable penchant for hunting great whites.

Port and starboard usually are not off California. So why do orcas hunt sharks here?

The remarkable footage shows a blue shark cruising the waters of Monterey, blissfully unaware that five killer whales had the unsuspecting predator of their sights. Evan Brodsky of Monterey Bay Whale Watch can have been on the surface feeding, and he documented the blue shark apparently reacting in surprise and swimming swiftly away to avoid the prying eyes (and appetites) of the powerful orcas.

Called “Louise’s Family” by researchers after their matriarch, these orcas are regular visitors to the Monterey area and are spotted repeatedly all year long. These transient killer whales (also referred to as Bigg’s killer whales), scientifically known as CA140B, form a genetically and culturally unique group or ecotype of orcas living within the Pacific Northwest. Unlike other orca populations, they focus on hunting marine mammals as their exclusive prey. “They became very curious [the shark], but they didn’t touch it or bother it,” marine biologist Colleen Talty told McClatchy News. “What a rare and fortunate encounter today between two unique species!” Monterey Bay Whale Watch reported on Facebook.

Although rarely seen, this shouldn’t be the primary time such footage has been captured. Earlier this 12 months, orcas were spotted feeding on sharks off the coast of Southern California. “We were very lucky to find a pod of these shark-eating orcas on San Miguel Island last Friday. They chased after a large mako shark and eventually caught this blue shark, which they paraded around in their huge jaws,” reads the caption on the Instagram accounts @pacificoffshore and @whatcameradoyouhave. “Offshore killer whales have a remarkable range. These same pods can be seen from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to Southern California.”

These encounters are only one piece of a bigger puzzle that has scientists scratching their heads. In recent years, there have been increasing reports of killer whales exhibiting increasingly “assertive” behavior, causing each fascination and concern amongst marine enthusiasts. Stories about boats being attacked and even sunk by these sea giants have caused concern across coastal communities. And the recent unprecedented event off the coast of South Africa, wherein a lone starboarder made history by becoming the primary of his kind to single-handedly hunt and devour an important white shark, not only underscores the impressive capabilities of those ocean giants; also raise questions on their evolving dietary preferences and ecological impacts.

One thing is for certain: the encounters between killer whales and their sea companions are as fascinating as they’re complex. Scientists are currently attempting to delve into the depths of orca psychology to decipher their behavior.