'It is extremely rare to witness': Scientists record humpback whale mom grieving her stillborn calf in first-of-its-kind footage

In a groundbreaking video, researchers captured the poignant moment of a humpback whale mother mourning the loss of her stillborn calf, marking the first-ever documented instance of such behavior. The footage was taken off the southeastern Australian coast in July 2025, as reported in a study published on September 16 in the journal Discover Animals.

Marine ecologist Olaf Meynecke, the lead author, described the sight as "extremely rare," noting that only a handful of humpback whale births have been recorded in literature, with none involving a stillborn calf.

Unlike newborns of toothed whales and porpoises, humpback whale calves lack sufficient blubber to float, causing them to sink immediately after birth. This makes them difficult to detect from a distance, possibly contributing to the rarity of such events being witnessed. The grieving mother whale was observed repeatedly attempting to make eye contact with her lifeless offspring, suggesting a deep sense of recognition and attachment.

The researchers, including co-author Andrew Mulville, noted the whale's behavior as "postmortem attentive behavior," with the mother cycling between diving to be near the calf and resting nearby for extended periods, sometimes for over 90 minutes.

The presence of another adult humpback whale, likely an escort, supported the pregnant mother during the birthing process. The escort's behavior, along with the whales' presence in the area for several days, indicated a strong emotional connection to the deceased calf. While the exact nature of grief in animals remains challenging to measure, the whale's behavior strongly hints at a profound maternal bond.

This rare observation offers valuable insight into the complex social structures and behavioral patterns of humpback whales, particularly in response to the loss of a calf.