If you're reading this, you are probably wondering if the headline was wrong. After all, sharks are the vicious predators of the oceans, right? However, the video taken by a drone offers an aerial view of how a pod of false killer whales relentlessly pursue a smaller shark in Sydney, Australia.
False Killer Whales Are Dolphins?
The cetacean might have a scary nickname, but false killer whales are still dolphins. In fact, false killer whales are the third largest member of the Delphinidae family (or oceanic dolphins) and got their name for sharing characteristics with Orcas.
Part of the excitement over the hunting footage has to do with the fact that false killer whales are rarely seen in the wild. Most false killer whales that have been observed are usually specimens that have been beached.
Back To The Action
The false killer whale footage was recorded by drone enthusiast Bruno Kotaoka, who had sent his drone out to sea. Little did Kotaoka know that he would end up with an exciting footage of a pod of false killer whales hunting what appears to be a juvenile shark (via Sploid).
The footage shows how the false killer whales pursue the tiny shark in a group effort to tire their prey. After a short chase, the leader goes in for the kill, grabbing the exhausted shark in its jaws and dragging it down to the deep waters.
Bruno Kotaoka is aware of his good fortune. He told 7 News Sydney that he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
How Crazy Is This Footage?
Marine biologists are undoubtedly excited over the false killer whale footage. "It's amazing. I love it," Fantasea Marine Biologist Georgina Wood said to 7 News Sydney. "That kind of footage is just so rare to catch."
But what is all the fuss about? This is the first time that the world has seen false killer whales actually stalking and killing an equally dangerous prey.
Hopefully, more drones can capture the rare and beautiful species in the wild. In the meantime, watch the false killer whales in action in the video below.
