New Zealand: White sharks also have winter holidays

A new study shows that every year, the giant white shark in New Zealand often has a "tropical holiday" when swimming tens of thousands of kilometers to warm waters in the South Pacific before turning back. home.

Scientists at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Climate Research (NIWA) tracked this giant carnivore for six months at Stewart Island in the south and Chatham Islands, New Zealand 750km to the east, which is considered a "hot spot" for sharks because large seals here are considered a rich source of food.

They found that the great white sharks moved periodically to places like Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu in the middle of winter, then returned to the island after about six months. Some white sharks have used their excellent positioning instincts to get back to the exact location the scientists had marked them last year.

Data obtained from electronic chips mounted on sharks show that they dive as deep as 800 meters during migration. The team even recorded a giant white shark diving down to 1,200 meters on its way to Australia. Their food on the move could be squid and deep-water fish.

Scientist Malcolm Francis said the study contributed to shedding light on the lifecycle of giant white, the largest ocean predators, with a length of 8m and a lifespan of up to 50 years. As a result, it contributes to the conservation of this endangered animal.

Giant white sharks are listed as vulnerable and protected in New Zealand waters since 2007.