Believe It Or Not, This Shark Took Down A Whale About Thrice Its Size

We have all seen plenty of footage of sharks attacking fish, sometimes humans even. But a shark attacking a whale almost thrice size and killing it is not something one comes across everyday.

If you think that hierarchy of survival in the wild is decided by size, think again. Rather watch this now-viral video.

National Geographic

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Scientists have recorded a video of a great white shark attacking and killing huge humpback whale. The video was reportedly taken from a drone off the coast of South Africa but the exact time is not known. It shows a 13-foot-long shark hunting down a 33-foot-long whale who was apparently in ill-health.

A marine biologist Ryan Johnson, observed the unlikely massacre. He said that the entire episode lasted for about 50 minutes before the whale died.

According to him, it was a ¡®strategic¡¯ move on the part of the shark. Even though humpback whales are known to attack sharks it is unusual for the giant mammals to be the victims.

Also Read: Chilling Moment As Surfer Lies Still On Paddle Board While A Great White Shark Circles Him

One of the researchers recognised the great while shark as Helen who was a part of a 2013 study led by Mr Johnson.

Talking about the incident Ryan Johnson told The Times, ¡°The shark was very strategic about it, there was no hesitation, it was as if she knew exactly how to go about it. The first strike was at the whale's tail, the skinny part above the flukes where she could get her mouth all the way around. She managed to open a vein and blood immediately started coming out¡±.

After attacking the tail the shark apparently kept waiting till the whale bled out for 30 minutes, after that Helen renewed the attack.

Johnson captured the incident on his drone.

National Geographic

Also Read: Rare White Humpback Whale Spotted In Australia Is Believed To Be The One First Seen In 1991

Helen then went for the head of the whale and latched on. The shark eventually drowned it. According to Johnson the whale never re-surfaced and suffered an agonizing death.

The indicators of the whale's poor health, in Johnson's opinion, were its mottled skin and it being separated from its pod.

¡°Helen looked very informed about what she was doing, which made me curious about whether she was an experienced whale killer, was acting on instinct or on plain intelligence by detecting her prey was weak,¡± Johnson reportedly said.

As they say, nature is all about survival of the fittest.