A female humpback whale was observed by researchers maintaining prolonged contact with a stillborn calf off Australia’s Gold Coast in footage documented last year. The behavior, described in a study published September 16, 2026, marks the first detailed recorded instance of such post-mortem attention in humpback whales.
The footage, captured by Sea World Foundation rescue boat captain Andrew Mulville, shows the mother whale accompanied by an escort whale. Over several hours—and possibly days—the female remained near the deceased calf, maintaining eye contact and physical contact with her head and fins. Researchers from Griffith University’s Whales and Climate Research Program, including lead author Dr. Olaf Meynecke, documented the behavior as consistent with care-giving or nurturing responses observed in other socially complex mammals.
The study, titled “First documentation of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) post-mortem attendance of a stillborn,” notes that the mother did not attempt to lift the calf to the surface, suggesting she may have recognized the calf’s death shortly after birth. The researchers also reported multiple deceased whale calves in the area at the time, though this remains the first verified case of prolonged post-mortem attendance for the species.
Behavioral Context and Scientific Significance
Humpback whales are known for strong maternal bonds, and prior research has documented grief-like behaviors in toothed whales and dolphins. However, this observation is the first documented instance in baleen whales, a group that includes humpbacks. The study suggests the behavior may represent a form of grief-related response, though researchers emphasize the need for further observation to confirm underlying motivations.
Dr. Meynecke stated that the case highlights the emotional complexity of humpback whales and the importance of systematic documentation to understand how marine mammals process loss. The research team plans to continue studying such interactions to assess whether similar behaviors occur in other whale species or under different environmental conditions.
Researchers and Observers
The observation was made by Andrew Mulville of the Sea World Foundation, who initially mistook the scene for resting whales before recognizing the unusual behavior. The study was published in Discover Animals and co-authored by Meynecke and Mulville. The researchers did not speculate on whether the escort whale played a role in the grieving process but noted its consistent presence during the observation period.