) met a grisly fate, believed to be at the merciless hands – or rather, fins – of a pod of killer whales . These two apex predators occasionally cross paths, and the dynamics of their encounters vary depending on the location and the circumstances. Yet witnesses and a researcher have pieced together the narrative that unfolded near Cape Bridgewater, just west of Portland, Victoria, where the lifeless shark’s carcass appeared to have been violently torn in two.
Ben Johnstone, a seasoned fisherman and bait shop manager, estimated the shark’s length at about ten feet when he inspected the remains following a tip-off on a fateful Tuesday. The harrowing injuries to the shark led him to strongly suspect the involvement of orcas. “It’s probably a once in a lifetime experience to see something like that. Every now and then will grab a tuna off of some poor anglers’ line,” he said.
Meyer underscored that researchers will persist in examining the Portland incident, focusing on telltale rake marks and the genetic remnants left behind, including traces of saliva. Such studies promise to shed light on the intricacies of the complex relationship between killer whales and great white sharks in these coastal waters, adding another layer to our understanding of these oceanic ecosystems.