Group of Orcas in the Pacific Unveils Surprising Technique to Hunt the World’s Largest Fish

Researchers have documented for the first time how orcas off the Mexican coast of the Pacific Ocean have developed a sophisticated strategy to hunt and kill whale sharks, known as the largest fish on the planet, capable of reaching up to 18 meters in length.

Although previous reports suggested orcas might attack whale sharks, a new study has revealed unprecedented details about this behavior. Scientists analyzed four hunting events captured in images and videos, showing how these gentle giants, often young and measuring between 3 and 7 meters, become vulnerable targets.

These sharks gather in the Gulf of California to feed, but their slow movements and limited defenses make them easy prey for orcas. “The whale shark’s brain is very small relative to its body size, comparable to the size of an egg,” explained Francesca Pancaldi, researcher at the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas and lead author of the study. “They are large, slow, and have tiny teeth, which leaves them virtually defenseless.”

The hunts described took place between 2018 and 2024 and highlighted the role of a male orca nicknamed Moctezuma, approximately 8 meters long. This individual, often accompanied by a possibly related female orca, plays a central role in the hunting strategy.

How Orcas Dominate Whale Sharks

The researchers identified a pattern: the orca group begins the attack by striking the whale shark at high speed, forcing it to turn belly-up. In this position, the shark enters a state of tonic immobility, a temporary paralysis triggered by extreme fear. The orcas then target the shark’s abdomen, causing it to bleed out while consuming its internal organs.

“It’s astonishing to observe their coordination,” noted Erick Higuera Rivas, marine biologist at the nonprofit organization Conexiones Terramar and co-author of the study. “While one orca struck the belly, another attacked the head, ensuring the shark remained immobilized and unable to escape.”

The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, not only documents a fascinating behavior but also highlights the social and predatory complexity of orcas, reinforcing their status as one of the most intelligent and strategic predators in the oceans.

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