Researchers have documented a previously unknown hunting behaviour in orcas after underwater footage captured the marine mammals using high-speed body slams to smash giant sunfish into pieces.

Marine biologists in Mexico captured video of a strange maneuver that killer whales used to shred their meal.

Experts say that both events suggest the killer whales were engaging “in a coordinated and cooperative strategy”, with one orca stabilising the carcass so the other could hit it more precisely.