Orcas Documented Hunting Massive Whale Sharks Using Coordinated Strategies

Researchers detail how orca pods off Mexico use teamwork to target the world's largest fish for their nutrient-rich livers.

A study published in 'Frontiers in Marine Science' describes orcas hunting whale sharks, the largest fish species, in the Gulf of California.
The orcas work together to flip the whale sharks onto their backs, immobilizing them and exposing their less-protected underbellies.
Attacks focus on the abdomen, allowing orcas to access the high-fat liver, a prized resource for the predators.
Researchers analyzed four recorded attacks from 2018 to 2024, identifying individual orcas involved, including one named Moctezuma, seen in three incidents.
These findings highlight the adaptability and strategic hunting behavior of orcas, which are known to target a wide range of prey.