Orca types and populations

Researchers studying orcas off the coast of South Africa recently observed one of the whales consuming a great white shark alone, in just two minutes.Forget Collars—There's a Kinder Way to Track Polar Bears in the ArcticSince 2017, two orcas in particular have been wreaking havoc on the great whites off South Africa’s Mossel Bay. Dubbed Port and Starboard (cute!), the apex predators have developed a taste for the massive sharks’ nutrient-rich livers (less cute). Haunting video of the whales actively feeding on a great…

A great white shark carcass that washed up near Portland, Australia, in October was killed and eaten by orcas, according to researchers who studied the fish’s remains.“Even AI Rappers are Harassed by Police” | AI UnlockedThe 16-foot shark was missing its midriff—a telltale sign that orcas were involved in its demise. But recent analysis of the carcass confirmed that orcas, also known as killer whales, were the culprits.Great white sharks (Carcharadon carcharias) are some of the most fearsome predators in the world’s…

Orcas in the Pacific Northwest are battling some kind of unknown skin disease, new research out this week suggests. The study found photographic evidence that these orcas have been developing more and more mysterious lesions over the years. It’s not clear yet how harmful this trend may be, but it’s the latest potential threat to the already endangered population in the area.Forget Collars—There's a Kinder Way to Track Polar Bears in the ArcticOrcas (Orcinus orca), also known as killer whales, are found throughout the…

Towner with a great white shark carcass.Photo: Hennie Otto / Dyer Island Conservation TrustTwo orcas named Port and Starboard seem to have developed a taste for great white sharks. Since 2017, eight great white sharks have washed ashore in South Africa, with signs of having been attacked by orcas. Seven of the sharks—typically apex predators—were missing their livers, and some didn’t have their hearts anymore.The sharks’ wounds, as well as recorded sightings of the two orcas, indicated to a team of researchers that Port…