"Unraveling the Enigma of Shark-Bitten Orcas in Deep-Sea Canyons"

A new study suggests that a group of killer whales spotted off the coast of California and Oregon over two decades may represent a previously uncategorized population of orcas. These orcas exhibit unique behavior and ecology, including deep-sea habitat preferences and distinctive scarring from encounters with cookiecutter sharks. The study's findings shed light on the presence of a distinct oceanic population of killer whales and highlight the importance of further research and observation to understand their behavior and ecological significance.