Great white sharks have long dominated the seas, however killer whales, which are reportedly bullying the great beasts and sometimes eating them, may challenge their authority underwater. The research on this phenomenon is not very extensive, but is showing some promising progress in the realm of understanding why killer whales have started attacking great whites. Some researchers are taking advantage of the opportunity to explore how this new breakthrough can help deflect sharks from coastal areas and popular beaches where high numbers of surfers and beachgoers congregate.\r
\r
The Farallon Islands, located off the San Francisco coast, are a critical base of research, where scientists monitor—among other things—13 different species of birds, five pinniped species, and great white sharks. The researchers studying the fierce predators arrive to the Farallon Islands in the summertime, when white sharks are known to frequent the area in order to feed on the abundant numbers of pinnipeds, or seals. This season is known to last through the fall months.\r
\r
It all started back in the late 1990s when a group of researchers made the annual trek to the Farallon Islands to observe the great white feeding season. They recorded the presence of killer whales in the area, which also feed on the pinnipeds, and thereafter witnessed a killer whale bully a great white. The orca proceeded to kill the great white. Researchers also noted that great white sightings ceased following the event. It was still the height of the feeding season.\r
\r
A new report of predatory ivity at the Farallon Islands mentions a similar happening in new. Following a “depredation event” on a great white shark by a killer whale, the remaining white sharks left earlier than normal, as if bullied out of the area. Researchers also observed a pod in the area this past fall, and wonder if that had anything to do with the lower-than-average number of shark predations on pinnipeds for the season.\r
\r
The connection between great whites and orcas has attred the attention of many marine researchers. In western Australia, documentary makers are looking to experiment with killer whale audio to see if it will deter sharks in the immediate area. Researchers have over three hours worth of audio to work with, so they hope that in observing shark responses they can isolate the specific killer whale sounds that are the most effective shark repellants.\r
\r
There has been a great deal of speculation as to why the killer whales have engaged in this kind of deadly bullying behavior, and some researchers suggest that it is not necessarily “new” behavior so much as it is newly observed behavior. Others propose that it is a matter of resource competition. Killer whales and great white sharks are known to feast off of the same food sources. Regardless of the reason, some researchers are taking advantage of the opportunity to make beaches safer for beachgoers. Killer whale audio may prove to be a deterrent for great white sharks, although the effects and implications of faux whale calls on ual killer whales in the vicinity should be considered.\r
\r
Some Amazing Video Links:\r
\r
5 Cases where Wild Animals saved Humans\r
\r
\r
5 Real Miracles Caught on Camera\r
\r
\r
6 Tiny Mistakes that changed History of the World\r
\r
\r
6 Chilling Hunting Tics of Orca Killer Whales\r
\r
\r
7 Most Shocking Archaeological Discoveries\r
\r
\r
7 Weird Things that fell from the Sky\r
\r
\r
10 Most Dangerous Tourist Spots\r
\r
\r
7 Survival Tales of Human encounter with Wild Animals\r
\r
\r
16 Occasions when a human fell into a wild animal enclosure in a zoo\r
\r
\r
7 Unsolved Mysteries of India\r
\r
\r
7 Most Terrifying Creatures Ever found\r
\r
\r
10 Things about Bob Marley You Did not Know\r
\r
\r
6 People with the Most Unusual Pets\r
\r
\r
Why is Lion called the King of the Jungle - Lion Vs Tiger\r
\r
\r
Vlog - Mumbai to Kerala\r