In a Stunning Encounter, Shark Attacks Ill Whale in South Africa

Researchers filming a documentary for National Geographic were stunned when their cameras captured the terrifying scene of a shark violently attacking a sick whale and dragging it into the depths. 

"We have never witnessed anything like this before and hadn’t heard of such an event," said the researchers. 

The footage, shot about two months ago off the coast of South Africa, shows a 14-year-old shark attacking a whale in poor health, which was part of a 2013 study conducted by marine biologist Ryan Johnson. Johnson, who was part of the research team that witnessed the unfortunate attack, said, "The attack lasted for 50 minutes, at the end of which the whale succumbed and died. It was sad to see."

The incredible (though somewhat disturbing) footage was released in a National Geographic documentary aired in July this year. "After capturing these images, we realized there have been no similar incidents documented in history. This is the first-ever recorded instance of a shark attacking and drowning a live whale," said Johnson. 

Johnson added that sharks have a complete strategy in their attack method: "First, it severs an artery or vein in the tail of its rival, which is its most vulnerable area, and only then drags it underwater and drowns it. It’s simply fascinating that we live on a planet that can still surprise us with such an encounter," he concludes.