Using a dead Brydes whale, scientists from Cape Town, South Africa towed it away from a beach into a famous hunting area of great white sharks to observe how the sharks would feed on the carcass. Over 30 sharks appeared to devour the corpse.

Alison Kock is the principal scientist at Save Our Seas Shark Centre and Shark Spotting Programme, at Cape Town South Africa, who lead the study.

"Contrary to their reputation as mindless killers, the level of selectivity for which parts of the dead whale they ate was extraordinary.  They targeted the energy-rich blubber, often making repeated "test bites" where no flesh was removed, and removing flesh only once they had determined it was what they wanted. If they got a mouthful of muscle, they often spat it out.  It provides evidence that when they bite into a surfboard, or kayak or person wearing a wetsuit they can immediately determine it's not something they want to eat. This is the ultimate example of the very important role sharks play in the ecosystem. That of recycling life, and of keeping our oceans healthy by removing dead and decaying animals like dead whales."

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