Great white shark torn to pieces by killer whales in first ever drone sighting

dailystar.co.uk:

orcas were spotted ripping open a lone great white shark in spectacular drone footage for the first time.The extraordinary scenes were the "first, direct evidence" that killer whales hunt the apex predators after it was recorded off the coast of South Africa.In the clip taken in the Mossel Bay region, a pod of hungry killer whales are seen approaching the great white closely and slowly.READ MORE: Shark spotted near waters where young mother was ripped apart in horror attackThe shark, instead of fleeing, stays close and keeps the pod in view – a common strategy seals and turtles use to evade sharks.But the orcas continue to circle before one of them goes in for the strike – sinking its teeth into the shark's stomach.A pool of blood gushes out into the water as the great white shark flips upside down.Two other orcas breach while another one rips open its torso for the liver and the heart.The clip is the first ever drone footage of orcas preying on the fearsome creatures.Alison Towner, senior scientist at Marine Dynamics Academy in Gansbaai, South Africa, said: "This behaviour has never been witnessed in detail before – and certainly never from the air."Co-author Dr Simon Elwen, of Stellenbosch University, said: "Killer whales are highly intelligent and social animals.

Their group hunting methods make them incredibly effective predators."The researchers suggest if more killer whales adopt the practice of hunting white sharks, the behaviour will have far wider impacts on shark populations.Orcas are the iconic great white's only predator - apart from humans.They can reach up to 30 feet in length and weigh over six tons - feeding on fish, squid, seals and sea birds.