Largest great white shark ever recorded seen feasting on dead sperm whale near Hawaii
The deadly predator is a Shark Week icon believed to be 50-years-old
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Divers near the Hawaiian island of Oahu made a rare discovery over the weekend, capturing close-up photographs of what’s believed to be the largest great white shark ever recorded in history.
The predator — nicknamed “Deep Blue” and estimated to be 50-years-old — weighs in at 2.5 tons. It was tagged by scientists when it was last spotted of the coast of Mexico more than 20 years ago.
Mark Mohler and Kimberly Jeffries saw the shark feasting on a dead sperm whale on Sunday, boldly swimming alongside the seven-metre giant and capturing stunning pictures of the experience. It can be seen chomping on the whale in videos recorded by the divers shortly after a gam of tiger sharks first made the discovery, feeding on the carcass before Deep Blue arrived.
Researchers believe the great white managed to grow so large due to its age. The deadly shark was reportedly featured several years ago on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, a marathon television series dedicated to all things sharks.
Ms Jeffries, who shared images and videos from the encounter online, captioned an Instagram post writing, “I waited quietly, patiently, observing as she swam up to the dead sperm whale carcass and then slowly to me, passing close enough I gently put my hand out to maintain a small space so her girth could pass.”
“I know some people criticise touch but what some don’t realize is that sometimes sharks seek touch, she swam away escorted by two rough-toothed dolphins who danced around her,” she continued.
Along with other activists, Ms Jeffries has called for a bill to be re-introduced in the Hawaii legislature that would ban the killing of sharks and stingrays, typically for their fins, which are considered a delicacy in several international cuisines.
Mr Mohler, who also shared photos from the experience online, said he was travelling to Hawaii for an “all-you-can-eat vacation”.
The divers reportedly confirmed Deep Blue’s identity with an organisation known as the white shark authority.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments