Researchers have released rare underwater footage showing a female humpback whale staying close to a stillborn calf on the seafloor off Australia’s Gold Coast.
The observations, published in September 2026, are described as the first detailed documentation of this post-mortem attentive behavior in humpback whales.
What the Footage Shows
The mother was seen returning repeatedly to the motionless calf, making eye contact and gently touching it with her head and fin over several hours. An escort whale remained nearby. Unlike some toothed whales that lift dead calves to the surface, this mother stayed with the calf underwater.
“It’s pretty heartbreaking to watch this female making continuous contact with the deceased calf,” said Andrew Mulville of the Sea World Foundation, who witnessed the event.
Why It Matters
Scientists say the behavior is consistent with care-giving and post-mortem attentive responses seen in other socially complex mammals. The findings were led by researchers from Griffith University and the Sea World Foundation.
The research was published in the journal Discover Animals and offers a rare window into how these large marine mammals may respond to the death of offspring.
Based on research released September 16, 2026, and reporting from scientific sources.
Humpback whale seen mourning dead calf for first time
— Nino Brodin (@Orgetorix) September 16, 2026
