A turf war could be brewing between sharks and orcas off Cape Cod: scientists
They could make waves with each other.
Scientists say a turf war could be brewing between orcas and white sharks off the shores of Cape Cod.
On Jun. 2, an orca named “Old Thom” was seen swimming in the Chatham area off the cape — a place known for numerous shark sightings.
There is now the potential for a war between the sea creatures, New England aquarium adjunct scientist John Chisholm posted on X.
Scientists say the two species get along about as well as the Jets and the Sharks in “West Side Story.” A study from two years ago first observed orcas intentionally hunting for sharks and gruesomely dismembering them for the nutritional value that comes from their livers and hearts.
“Orcas have killed white sharks in Australia and California,” Chisholm told The Post on Friday, saying some fear Old Thom could turn his ire on any animal who gets in his way.
Currently, Old Thom is seemingly paying little mind to any sharks off the cape. He prefers swimming with a pod of dolphins, Chisholm says.
However, other orca populations in the northwest Atlantic may be more vicious.
“That’s the big question. That’s why we are studying the sharks and orcas now,” Chisholm said.
He added that the region has seen many recent shake-ups that include growth in shark population, among other environmental changes brought on by warmer currents.
But even if orcas are significantly outnumbered by white sharks, the latter does not have the upper hand in a tale of the teeth.
A single pair of orcas left the “great white capital” off the coast of South Africa trembling in fear for the past few years.
At least eight shark carcasses had washed ashore and marine scientists began noticing great whites avoiding their typical stomping ground.
As it is, a dead tiger shark recently washed ashore on Cape Cod Tuesday. Although unusual for this time of year, it is likely unrelated to Orcas, Chisholm said.
Regardless, things are heating up in the Atlantic Ocean with an uncertain future ahead.
“Will orcas change their behavior to find the white sharks?” Chisholm questioned.
“Time will tell.”
