In the attacks, caught on video between 2018 and 2024, the orcas killed young whale sharks that gathered in the Gulf of California to feed.

Another killer whale hits the ventral side of the whale shark. Kelsey Williamson. In the sunlit waters of the Gulf of California, a showdown that rivals even the most famed WWE ma

A pod of killer whales has developed “unique” skills to hunt the world’s biggest fish. The orcas have been spotted in the Gulf of California hunting whale sharks – which grow up to 18 metres (59 ft) long – in “coordinated” attacks.

Whale sharks are gentle, filter-feeding giants, but orcas in Mexican waters were documented attacking the animals and devouring their livers.

Killer whales can feed on marine mammals, turtles, and fish. In the Gulf of California, a pod might have picked up new skills that help them hunt whale sharks—the world's largest fish, growing up to 18 meters long.

For the first time, scientists have captured video evidence of orcas cooperatively hunting whale sharks, the largest species of fish on Earth. This graphic footage proves that whale sharks are a regular part of some orcas’ diets, and solves the mystery of how they are able to kill the massive fish.

Orcas appear to select the youngest fish, work together to flip them upside down, then target the most vulnerable areas of their bellies.