{
  "id": 7855349,
  "title": "'Pretty emotional': Rare video shows humpback whale with stillborn calf",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/pretty-emotional-rare-video-shows-humpback-whale-with-stillborn-calf",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T19:37:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-17/humpback-whale-video-with-calf-reveals-grieving-behaviour/107156326"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A female humpback whale and its stillborn calf, captured on video near the Gold Coast, provide a rare glimpse into the species' response to death, researchers say. The footage, filmed off Palm Beach in July last year, shows the mother approaching the deceased calf several times, touching it with her head and fin before lying still next to the newborn's body. The whale and another escort remained with the stillborn for at least two hours.\n\nMarine scientist Dr Olaf Meynecke, from Griffith University's Whales and Climate Research Program, co-authored a report on the encounter, published in Discover Animals. He noted the \"post-mortem attentive behaviour,\" or what is sometimes referred to as grieving behavior, had not been observed in humpback whales before.\n\nDr Meynecke emphasized the uniqueness of witnessing a female's response to a stillborn calf, highlighting the strong bond between mother and calf. He pointed out that the whales were not traveling, socializing, or changing their behavior in any other way during the event, indicating a strong attachment and a shift in behavior after the occurrence.\n\nLocal SeaWorld Foundation rescue boat captain Andrew Mulville stumbled upon the whales while on a day off fishing. With over 25 years of experience caring for sick whales, conducting rescues, and witnessing strandings, Mulville was surprised by the behavior, stating it was something he had never seen before. He concluded that the moment was powerful, emotional, and truly nature in action.\n\nGrieving behavior has been more commonly observed in toothed whales and dolphins, such as Orcas, which have been seen carrying dead calves for hours or days. Dr Meynecke hopes that increased use of drones while in the water will make it easier to document similar events in the future, ultimately enhancing our understanding of humpback whales and their responses to stress and other challenges.",
  "summary": "Researchers say the footage is a rare example of \"grieving behaviour\", after the whale remained with its calf for several hours.",
  "key_points": [
    "Female humpback whale with stillborn calf captured on video near Gold Coast",
    "Mother whale approached and touched deceased calf multiple times",
    "Post-mortem attentive behavior not previously observed in humpback whales"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}