Sixty Year Grandma Orca Takes Down Great White Shark with Lightning Speed in Rare Footage
In an astonishing display of marine prowess, a 60-year-old orca named Sophia was captured on camera in March 2024 defeating a great white shark off the coast of South Africa. This rare footage, part of National Geographic’s limited series “Queens,” has left scientists and wildlife enthusiasts in awe, highlighting the exceptional predatory skills of orcas.
The Shark’s Vain Escape
Despite the shark’s desperate attempts to flee, Sophia relentlessly circled and rammed it repeatedly, ultimately delivering a fatal blow. The large great white was no match for the grandmother orca, who treated the shark like a mere punching bag.
Sophia: The 60-Year-Old Grandmother Orca
Sophia, the matriarch of her pod, is estimated to be around 60 years old, making her a grandmother in orca years. Her impressive age and hunting prowess have earned her a special place in the hearts of scientists and researchers. The footage shows Sophia spotting a swimming great white shark and body-slamming into the predator with enough power to break its ribs.
Orcas: The Apex Predators
Contrary to popular belief, orcas, not great white sharks, are the top predators in the ocean. They are highly intelligent, social, and powerful animals that love hunting sharks. Orcas in the wild can grow to astonishing sizes, with some, like Sophia, reaching up to thirty feet in length and weighing six tons.
Orcas are incredibly fast swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour). They are also highly agile, capable of making sharp turns and quick changes in direction. Sophia’s lightning-fast attack on the shark, lifting it into the air, is a testament to their speed and agility. National Geographic;s seven part docuseries is availble on Disney+ and Hulu. Queens’ final four episodes, including the “Coastal Queens” episode featuring Sophia the orca whale, aired on National Geographic on March 11, 2024.
